Ruth Bartley

December 5, 1941 – October 4, 2014

Hartland and Cornville – Ruth L. Bowman Bartley, 72, went to be with the Lord on October 4, 2014. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She was born December 5, 1941 in Skowhegan the daughter of Frances N. (Solecki) Murray and Arthur P. Murray. She was raised and educated in the Skowhegan area schools and graduated from Skowhegan Area High School.

Ruth’s first job was at W.T. Grant in Downtown Skowhegan. She worked at Solon Manufacturing, local shoe shops and Gifford’s Dairy. Then, Ruth worked for SAD #54 at the Cornville school for many years until she retired due to ill health. It was a job she loved, working with so many children.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 0192 in Athens for many years. Ruth loved to fish, hunt, read, do crafts and travel. She and Gary traveled to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New York, New Hampshire, Boston and around the coast of Maine. They almost always traveled with her sis and brother-in-law, Clarice and Robert Pelletier. The guys used to say, “you can’t lose ‘em, just listen for the laughter.”

One special trip was filling her moose tag with Gary; son, Niles Jr; and brother-in-law, Bob. She could still get excited telling the story today. Her moose made the Maine Skull and Antler Club with “that big boy.”

Spending time with family was important to Ruth. As the family grew older it was harder to get everyone together in one place, but the love was always there.

Ruth was predeceased by her loving son, Niles V. Bowman, Jr; first husband of 32 years, Niles V. Bowman, Sr.; parents, Frances and Arthur Murray; sister, Wanda J. Foss; brothers, Marcel A. Murray and Stanley A. Murray.

She is survived by her husband, Gary A. Bartley; daughter, Lisa Marie Brooker and husband Michael of Bangor; daughter, Cheryl Frances Boothby and husband Gurdon of Cornville; son, Wendell A. Bowman and wife Jenifer of Millerton, NY; daughter, Vicki Lynn Bowman-Vickers and life partner Cathy Jo of Skowhegan; step-children, Scott Gary Bartley and wife Renee of Gilmanton, NH and Misty Klein of Sarasota, FL; grandchildren, Travis, Megan and Cyndi Brooker, Deavin Bowman, Tyler Boothby, Nick and David Bowman, Makayla and Haylie Smith and Claire and Elsie Bartley; two great grandchildren, Ella and Ace Bowman; sisters, Madeline F. Corson and husband Alvin of Skowhegan and Mary Ann L. Cooley of Skowhegan; brother, Paul R. Murray and wife Brenda of Skowhegan; brother-in-law, Bruce Foss of Skowhegan; sister-in-law Normita Murray of MA; many nieces and nephews; and her special “sis” and brother-in-law, Clarice and Bob Pelletier.

There will be no visiting hours at Ruth’s request. A Graveside service will be held at 1pm, Friday, October 10, 2014 at East Ridge Cemetery, Cornville at which time family and friends are invited to speak, read a poem, sing a song, etc. Rev. Mark Tanner will officiate.

Memorial donation may be made to the Cornville Food Cupboard, c/o Jean Tekverk, 839 East Ridge Rd., Cornville, ME 04976.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowehgan.