Ruth M. Otterson

Ruth M. (Gibbs) Otterson, 99, formerly of Shrewsbury, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the home of her daughter, Irene M. Symonds in Boylston.

Her husband, Edwin C. Otterson, died in 1974.

She is survived by two daughters, Marjory Mattson of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Irene and her husband Bruce Symonds, with whom she lived. She leaves behind five grandchildren, Carl and Eric Mattson of Quincy, Edwin J. Symonds of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, Neal C. Symonds of Holden and Marcia J. Gallaway of Auburn; seven great-grandchildren, two nephews and several grandnephews and grandnieces. A sister, Lucille Agambar, died in 1959, and another sister, Dorothy Philbin, died in 2006.

Ruth was born in Clinton, April 17, 1909, daughter of Lester and Elva (Derick) Gibbs.

She was a graduate of Clinton High School in 1926. She was a true artist and took courses at the Worcester Art Museum. She taught ceramics for a number of years.

She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. A calling hour will begin at 10:00 a.m. before the funeral. Burial in Forestvale Cemetery, Hudson, will be private.

The family requests that flowers be omitted and suggest that memorial contributions be made to Elder Services of Worcester Area, 411 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 01602.