A devoted wife, a loving mother,
A proud grandmother, a happy great-grandmother,
A friend.
A dutiful daughter, a caring sister, a respected aunt,
A committed Christian, a breathtaking soprano, a child of God,
...Mom.
Proverbs 31: 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Born in Goffstown, NH, Ruth’s family moved often. Her father, Carl, and mother, Marion, lived in many places with their six children. The fondest of all was Hollis, Maine, where she met the love of her life.
Her father called her “my little Ruthie.” She absolutely loved her name and its biblical heritage. Her husband, Dwight, called her “Ruthie.” She was “Nana, Nana-Ruth, Nana-Southwick,” She was loved by all, especially by those who called her “mom.”
She is survived by her husband, Dwight, and her six children; Dwight Jr., Mary Lee, Jim, Nancy, Bruce, and Ted, and her two sisters; Ann Louise and Lillian. The love she showed will never be forgotten.
Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us,… 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise
Ruth was part of a remarkable, musically gifted family. She traveled throughout the Northeast singing. She had an angelic soprano voice. Her voice carried deep expressions of grief, joy, and love. One famous musical production featured Ruth’s family in a truly memorable way. On Sunday night, December 20th, 1953, Ruth sang in a production of Handel’s Messiah at the First Methodist Church in Lynn, Massachusetts. Performing with her was her father Carl Crosby, her brothers Russell and Herb, and her sisters Ann Louise and Lillian.
Dwight and Ruth were married in 1954 after Dwight returned from the Korean War. Thus began one of the sweetest love stories. For 66 years, Ruth was devoted to Dwight and their family. Dwight was head over heels in love with Ruth since the day he met her at Hollis High School. She and Dwight raised 6 wonderful children. They were blessed with 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Throughout her life, she used her musical voice and ability to bless so many others. She played the piano and sang in the choir at church services for Willington Baptist and Eastford Baptist Church. Her rendition of “Sleep Soldier Boy” at the Memorial Day parade in Willington, CT was truly moving. She sang countless solos and duets. And every night she would play and sing hymns for her children as they drifted off to sleep.
Joshua 24:15…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Her sincere desire was to tell all her friends about the love of Jesus. She wanted them to know that Jesus had died on the cross to bear the burden for our sins, so we could live forever in God’s grace and loving hands. Through her final breath, she loved her family, husband, and mostly, God. With a smile on her face, and with her family at her side, she moved on to her eternal home with Jesus, in warmth and love forever. She was an amazing Christian, adoring wife, loving mother, and loyal friend.
An Angel (unknown author)
An angel lived among us, A gift from God above. She showered us with kindness and shared with us her love.
She cherished every moment With the man who was her life; Walking hand in hand together, Facing life with all its strife.
She loved her children dearly, Each one a different way, Nestled close within her heart. Though, now, she’s far away.
She’s gone to live with Jesus. But, she’s here with us, today, Smiling down on every one of us, And telling us she’s O.K.
What is left behind?
Most everything washes away in its season;
Our possessions, and dreams, ...our loved ones
When all we see is but a barren land,
Hope springs eternal … Faith blossoms
God has remained, his message is there
The Lord like a mighty mountain can be seen through the mist
A message, a reason, a home, a way
…is what is left behind.
When my time has come, I might wish for many things,
But when I close my eyes,
I would wish that the last sounds I hear,
is my Mom’s angelic voice singing “The Old Rugged Cross”
And the soothing voice of my Dad, praying in God’s almighty ear.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 8th, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, 1505 West Street, Southington, CT.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that charitable donations be made to Elim Park at https://give.elimpark.org/give/209969/#!/donation/checkout
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6