Ruth M. Underwood

Born August 16, 1939, to the late Samuel H. and Eleanor (Armstrong) Evanson, she spent her early years in Haverford and Mariongolf Heights, PA before moving to Swanton, VT for the rest of her childhood. Ruth graduated valedictorian from Saint Ann’s Academy in 1957, and received an RN degree as valedictorian from Jeanne Mance School of Nursing (now part of UVM) in 1960. In 1961, she married Edward F. Murray III at the Church of the Nativity in Swanton, VT.

In 1962, they moved to Connecticut, living first in East Hartford and then Glastonbury, raising three girls and spending many happy summers at Amston Lake. Ruth volunteered as a leader for the PTA, Girl Scouts, and 4H, and later was certified as an EMT and volunteered for the Glastonbury Ambulance. In 1975 Ruth worked as an officer in the Manchester Police Department, and from 1977 to 1989 she worked as an RN and supervisor at Upjohn and Riverside Healthcare. In 1983 Ruth earned a B.S. in Finance from Eastern Connecticut State University, and then took several graduate business courses at UConn.

In 1989, Ruth married David Underwood, and they lived happily in their homes in Bow and Campton, NH, and Venice, FL. Ruth served many years on the Bow Ambulance Oversight Committee, and together with David made contributions to support the new Underwood Trauma Center at Concord Hospital. Ruth loved outdoor activities such as running, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and kayaking. She loved to travel, taking many trips overseas and to national parks with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. She also painted and did needlework, including knitting many lovely scarves for her loved ones. In recent years she developed a passion for playing card games with her friends and family. One of the highlights of Ruth’s year was the family reunion that she planned each summer for her children, grandchildren, and other relatives. She was known for her thoughtfulness and zest for life.

Ruth is survived by three daughters, Karen Murray of East Hartford, CT, Linda (Ron) Kolb of Plano, TX, Jean Stewart of Moon Township, PA, three stepsons, Geoffrey (Dede) Underwood, Derek Underwood, and Chester (Chip) Underwood, and nine grandchildren: Christian, Dustin, and Kaelie Murray-Simmons, Laura and Andrew Stewart, Emily Kolb, Cecilia, Annie, and Josie Underwood. Ruth is also survived by a brother, Samuel (Carroll) Evanson, Jr., two sisters, Carol (Bob) Blake, and Catherine (Kenneth) Horn, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her niece Judy Horn and nephew Brian Cohen, and her former husband, Edward F. Murray III.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in honor of Ruth Underwood to the National Parks Conservation Association, npca.org, 777 6th Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington DC 20001-3723, or Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, nhnature.org, or Concord Hospital Trust, ch-trust.org, 250 Pleasant Street, Concord NH 03301.

Family and Friends are invited to a celebration of Ruth Underwood’s life on Saturday, February 28th at 2pm, at the New Hampshire Audubon Center, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH

Arrangements under the direction of Bennett Funeral Home, Concord, NH.