The skilled hands of an accomplished musician and educator fell still with the passing of Ruth F. Fairburn, 89, of Winchester, NH, on Friday evening, September 14, 2018 at the Westwood Care and Rehabilitation Center in Keene, NH.
Her parents Forest A. and Madelene (Handy) Frost welcomed their daughter into the world on February 9, 1929 in Winchester, NH. Ruth grew up in Winchester and was a graduate of Thayer High School. She went on to attend Boston University where she received her bachelor's degree in music education.
For her entire work life Ruth helped to shape the minds of many children in the East Bridgewater, Mass. Elementary School System. Her greatest passion in life was music. For several decades Ruth played violin in the Brockton (Mass.) Symphony and after her retirement to Winchester she played in the Keene Chamber Orchestra and the Keene State College Chamber Orchestra.
Ruth’s skilled hands also found her creating many works of pottery which she sold from her home as well as offering many to family and friends for their enjoyment. Ruth also enjoyed bird-watching, reading, gardening and cooking and considered herself a naturalist. During her retirement she attended several classes at the Cheshire Academy of Lifelong Learning (CALL), she particularly enjoyed classes dealing with some aspect of nature. She also participated in a few Elderhostels including at least two jewelry-making workshops.
She will be greatly missed by many, especially her family; her sisters, Caroline Polk of Jaffrey, NH and Mary E. Johnson of Winchester; her nieces and nephews, Marjorie Leslie, of Stoddard, NH, Miriam Johnson and her husband, Paul Bader, of Winchester, Lloyd Goodnow and his wife, Kathy, of Richmond, NH, Martha Johnson of Muxia, Spain, Liz Johnson and her lifelong partner John Manning of Hillsborough, NH, Wayne Goodnow and his wife Janice of Hyannis, MA; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Stewart Fairburn; and two nephews, David Goodnow and Richard Goodnow.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 11:00AM in the Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene. Burial will follow in the family lot in the Evergreen Cemetery, Richmond Road, Winchester. Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday evening, September 25th from 6:00 to 8:00PM at the Fletcher Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mrs. Fairburn’s memory to the Keene Community Music Center, 69 Island Street, Unit #1, Suite 2, Keene, NH 03431; or to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606.
