Ruth G. Switzer

Ruth Gray Switzer of East Sandwich, Massachusetts, passed away in the company of loved ones on the morning of Sunday, July 30, 2017. Ruth is survived by her brother Donald Harris Gray and his wife Noelle Stoodley Gray, sister-in-law Suzanne Van Mater Gray, and joins her late siblings, Janet Sutherland Gray and Douglas Mintie Gray, Jr., in peace.

Ruth was the beloved mother of Kimberly Switzer Robbins and husband Brain Devin Robbins of Armonk NY, Pamela Gray Switzer of East Sandwich MA, Deidre Switzer Riehle and husband Parker Maynard Riehle of South Burlington VT, and Harold Kirtland Switzer III (Kirt) and wife Aileen Galindo Switzer of Alamo CA. She was cherished and admired by each of her thirteen grandchildren, who knew her affectionately as Grandy.

Ruth was born in Boston, MA on June 26, 1940 to the late Douglas Mintie Gray and Dorothy French Gray. Ruth graduated from Abbot Academy and attended Skidmore College and the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial school. Ruth lived in numerous locations including Texas and Connecticut before ultimately settling in Duxbury Massachusetts to raise her children. She was an active member of the Duxbury Yacht Club where she enjoyed cheering on her children in swim meets and tennis matches while she herself was a very competitive golfer and an accomplished sailor. Her claim to fame on the golf course was a hole in one in 1977 celebrated by a pint of ice cream for each of her children. Ruth moved to East Sandwich in 1983 where she worked at Sandwich High School and continued to play golf at Sandwich Hollows and to sail her loved Beetle Cat named ‘Sleek’.

As a devoted member of the East Sandwich community, Ruth spent her spare time volunteering at the Nye House, the Sandwich Public Library, and the First Church of Christ. She is remembered for her strength and loyalty; for facing each of life’s challenges with stoicism and grace, and for her love of family above all else. She enjoyed spending summers with her children, their spouses, and her thirteen grandchildren at her home on Cape Cod where she shared her love of the beach and ocean creatures with all who were interested.

A memorial service to celebrate Ruth’s life is scheduled for Saturday August 5, 2017 at 4:00 PM at the First Church of Christ: 136 Main Street Sandwich MA.