Ruth Lewis

Ruth has led a full life since she was born on June 21", 1937. She graduated from Colebrook Academy in 1956, and from New England Baptist school of nursing in 1959. While attending high school, Ruth accompanied her father, Life minister Rev. George Duke, as he ministered to his flock at the Errol, Wilsons Mills, Magalloway, and Kidderville Churches by providing the music for these services.

After graduating from New England Baptist school, Ruth married Palmer Lewis and traveled with him during his career in the Air Force, which meant living in Texas, California, New Mexico, and Michigan before coming back to live in Colebrook. Back in Colebrook, Ruth went to work at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital and also at the Indian Stream Clinic.

After a few years of nursing, she made a career change. At the urging of Janet Hicks, she went back to high school and learned to type and took a job in the New Hampshire District Court while continuing to do some private nursing. At this job, she received an award from the chief justice of the NH Supreme court for her outstanding work. She stayed at this job until retirement.

Ruth continued to share her musical talent by becoming the organist and choir director of the Monadnock Congregational Church. At Church she also took on the responsibilities of serving on the Christian Outreach Board and thus continued serving this community.

Ruth ran for and was elected to the Colebrook School Board at a time of radical change; Colebrook needed a new building for the Academy. In New England we believe in "use it up, wear it out, or make it do," and she and the other board members had to convince the people of Colebrook that the old building was worn out and used up, and it was not fair to our children to make it do.

Her greatest joy was the time spent with her very close friends in the Red Hatters society. Their monthly meetings were looked forward to with great anticipation.

So Ruth's accomplishments were in the fields of medicine, law, music, religion, and politics but her greatest was as wife and mother. She was married to Palmer for 67 years and has raised 4 wonderful children. The children all knew they had "crossed the line" when they heard the words, "I love you and I like you..but...I don't like what you are doing" She leaves not only her children but also 14 grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren

We don't know why God needs her now, but if he has a problem, she can handle it.

Calling Hours will be held from 4-6pm on Friday, March 6th at Monadnock Congregational Church, 147 Main Street, Colebrook. A Funeral Service will be held at the church the following day starting at 10am. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to the Ruth Lewis Music Fund Trust. Online donations can be made here. Checks can be mailed to Monadnock Congregational Church, 24 Parsons Street, Colebrook, NH, 035576. Please note on these checks that the money is for this fund.