Ruth Dorothea Carlson

The eldest of two daughters, Ruth was born February 7, 1916 in Elizabeth, N.J., to Henry and Emile Beuthe Wagner, and graduated from the Baton School in Elizabeth. She continued her education at Drake Business College, as a Secretarial Major, in Elizabeth. After graduation, she worked for Merck & Co, Research Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Rahway, NJ.

She was married to J. Arthur (Art) Carlson, July 29, 1939 for 54 years. They moved to Rome and Waterville, Maine in 1954 then to Falmouth in 1955. In 1956, Ruth joined Union Mutual Life Insurance Company (UNUM), and was executive secretary to Bill Barber, Corporate Actuary, until 1972 when she was promoted to Legal Assistant in Government Relations. Ruth retired in 1981.

In 1958, Ruth and family moved to Cumberland Center where she was a member at the Val Halla golf course. She enjoyed a life of golf, bowling, gardening, traveling and spending time with her family. After retirement, Ruth and Art moved to Cape Elizabeth and were members of Purpoodock Club golf course.

She is survived by her son, Robert A. and partner Vicky of San Jose, CA. and daughter, Lynn Legendre and husband Robert of Lanoka Harbor‎, N.J.; 6 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her son James A. of So. Portland and her younger sister Bertha Wagner Preuss of Cranford, N.J.

A celebration of her life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday June 7, 2015 at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland.

Interment will be private.

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