Ruth B Mason

Ruth B. Mason of North Conway passed away peacefully on January 9, 2025, after a lengthy illness, with her daughter by her side. 

Ruth was born on May 15, 1926, the youngest of three children to Ethel and Ernest Brooks in “The Valley”, East Killingly, Connecticut. She grew up in East Killingly and attended a one-room schoolhouse in her youth. After graduating as valedictorian from Killingly High School, Class of 1944, in Danielson, CT. she attended Cornell School of Nursing in New York before transferring when her mother became ill, graduating as an RN from Roger Williams School of Nursing in Providence, RI. She continued her education in the late ‘60s receiving her Bachelor's degree from The University of Rhode Island in Providence, RI. 

Ruth signed up with the U.S. World War II Cadet Nursing Corps, but the war ended before she had to serve. She worked as a Public Health Nurse in Putnam, CT., until she had children, at which point she worked at Westview Manor, Attawaugan, CT. as Director of Nursing, later moving on to Matulaitis Nursing Home, again as Director of Nursing.

She met her husband, Alfred, in her hometown of East Killingly and they married in October 1948, in Sterling, CT. She was predeceased by Alfred in 1985. 

 Ruth relocated to North Conway in 1987 to be closer to her grandchildren, whom she adored. She worked part-time at The Classic Car Museum and later at Annie’s Bookstore. 

 She was an avid reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles and loved traveling, whether by auto, airplane, or cruise ship. She had visited all the Hawaiian Islands more than once, cruised through the Caribbean islands, the Panama Canal and the Alaskan waters. Ruth visited many Western National Parks and took numerous trips east and south of the Mississippi River. Ruth knitted afghans and sweaters for her grandchildren. Her real joy was her family. 

 Ruth is survived by her daughter, Nancy Mason, with whom she lived; her son, David, and wife, Sandra, of Williamsburg, VA.; grandchildren Christopher Mason and wife Bailey of Gray, ME; Darcy and husband Matthew Murphy of Bayport, NY; and Lindsey and husband Brian Bauer of Williamsburg, VA. She also leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Benjamin Mason, Levi and Hannah Murphy, and Hailey and Hunter Bauer. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss their loving “North Conway” grandmother. 

 A graveside service will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice, 1529 White Mountain Hwy, North Conway, NH 03860. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence or for more information please visit www.csnh.com.