Ruth M. Burns

Ruth M Burns, daughter of May (Foss) and Clarence Littlefield, grew up on her family farm in Auburn which was located at the current site of the Sunderland Drive neighborhood. A graduate of Edward Little High School (1939), she attended Pelletier School of Beauty Culture, later working as a hairdresser and manager of the Style Beauty Salon in Lewiston. She was a lifelong resident of Auburn, Maine. “Ruthie”, as she was known, married J Herbert Burns on June 7,1942. He served 3 ½ years in the Air Corps in the China, Burma, India Theater of War. They had one daughter, Barbara, their pride and joy. Herbie and Ruth owned Carl’s Garage on Washington Street in Auburn. After Herbie’s passing in 1961, Ruth continued to own and manage the books at Carl’s garage, where she and Dale Carleton became the best of friends and lifelong partners. Eventually, Ruth sold the garage to Dale and worked for Akers and Chrysler for more than 20 years as a bookkeeper until her retirement.

Some of her early memories included working at the hardware department in Woolworth’s for $12/month, taking a trolley out Minot Avenue to Garfield Road and getting picked up from school by her brother in a horse and buggy. Ruth’s life spanned 4 generations. She was our last familial connection to a time before cars rolled down our streets, indoor plumbing brought water to our kitchens and electricity lit our lights.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Barbara and husband Roland, granddaughters Lisa and husband Paul, Catherine and husband Sean, grandsons Todd and wife Lisa, Jeff and wife Maeve, 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, husband J Herbert Burns, life-partner Dale Carleton, both of her brothers, Omer Littlefield and Lewis Littlefield, and her sister, Grace L. Dill.

A Funeral Service will be held at Park Avenue United Methodist church on Thursday, November 8th at 4:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth's name to The Androscoggin Hospice House, 236 Stetson Rd. Auburn, Me. 04210.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation & Monument Services 217 Turner St. Auburn, ME 04210.