Ruth Almquist Sumner

Ruth Almquist Sumner, 81, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025. She was born in New Britain, CT on April 5, 1944, the daughter of Nils and Svea Almquist and was predeceased by both parents and her two older brothers, Warren and Eric. Ruth shared close, cherished bonds with her sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Dotsie) Almquist, Kathryn Almquist and Susan Sumner. Nieces and nephews of these families were dear ones to Ruth as they grew and had families of their own: Heather Almquist; Shelley Gabel; Nils Almquist; Erica MacGregor; Michael and Matthew Giana.

Living her younger and teenager years in Berlin, Ruth continued her education and graduated from Berlin High School in 1962. She earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Central Connecticut State College and became a second grade teacher.

Much of each summer during Ruth's teenage years was spent at her family's Madison shore cottage where she and her mother (Mimi), found immense joy among the rocks and water pools of this salt marsh paradise. It was also during these high school years that Ruth met her true love - Kingsley (Kit) Sumner. Hiking and biking, canoeing and sailing, attending the annual Berlin Fair, plays on Broadway, the Junior Prom and Winter Festival Senior Ball ... were all wonderful adventures and spectacular events for the burgeoning friendship of these two sweethearts. They eventually married in 1966.

These were the Vietnam years and Ruth accompanied Kit, then flying for the U. S. Navy, to flight squadron bases in Whidbey Island, WA and Barber's Point, Hawaii. Their son, Kingsley E. Sumner, III (Kaj) was born in Honolulu in 1971; their precious daughter, Leah, (their bicentennial baby) was welcomed to the family in 1976 by two of the proudest grandmothers alive, Mimi and Nana, while Kit's dad, Papa, grinned broadly.

In the 1990s and early 2000s Ruth was critically important as an owner and operator of a family business with her husband and son, a joint effort which lasted sixteen satisfying years. However in her "off time" she developed an interest, moving quickly into a passion, for field training flat coated retrievers. Ruth's talent and perseverance through many years of hard work earned her the support and respect of her other devoted trainers and handlers; Ruth believed it always came down to having fun with your dog.

It was always felt by those who knew and watched Ruth that she was happiest, indeed radiating fulfillment, when surrounded by Mimi, Kit, Kaj and Leah and cuddling her four beautiful grandchildren. And to be sure, life is always full of exciting revelations. Since childhood Ruth displayed a remarkable talent for art: creating stunning pastel still-life paintings; weaving tirelessly on her loom; designing and constructing free-form baskets; shaping and soldering stain glass into light-dancing lamp shades; masterfully carving figured wood into the likenesses of birds as well as shaping Herreshoff half hull models.

Life was a simple matter for Ruth: it was about relationships. Always a patient listener and a loyal, supportive friend, she gave selflessly. A wonderful sense of humor was her gift to us all ... often highlighted by her delightful "one-liners." Let there be no doubt Ruth Sumner was first and foremost a tender, nurturing mother and an oh-so-sweet loving wife. Blessed to be her husband and to share her life, I will always miss my Ruthie.