Ruby Arder

Norwich - Ruby A. Arder, 71, of Westwood Park, Norwich, died Friday at her home with her family by her side.

She was born in Norwich on Feb. 10, 1935, daughter of the late James and Harriett (Johnson) McNeely.

Ruby was a supervisor of housekeeping at the Comfort Suites in Norwich, and for many years she also worked a daycare business at her home.

Mrs. Arder was predeceased by her first husband, Charles Jathe, in May of 1961 and her second husband, Milton Arder, on July 24, 1996. Ruby was predeceased by four brothers, James McNeely, Kenneth McNeely, Gilbert McNeely and William McNeely; three sisters, Mary Clark, Mildred McNeely and Janet McNeely; and one great-grandson, Dustin Golding.

She is survived by two sons, Charles Jathe, of Jewett City and Henry Golding, of Portsmouth, Va.; three daughters, Karen Melanson, of Mystic, Sheri Porretta, of Westerly, R.I., and Joyce Golding, of Baltic; one brother, Robert McNeely, of Collinsville, Miss.; two sisters, Harriet Ireland, of Brooks, Maine, and Ruth Clark, of Baltic; twelve grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruby was especially close to her step daughters Gwendolyn of Waterford and Pam of Pennsylvania.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Cummings - Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff St., Norwich. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery in Bourne, Mass. A calling hour will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 262 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360