OBITUARY
Ruth E. Blachard Norton
March 2, 1920 – December 18, 2012
Ruth Norton, 92
Falmouth – Ruth E. Norton of Falmouth passed from this life on December 18, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Portland. She was born in Cumberland on March 2, 1920 the daughter of Eleanor (Fogg) and Fred Blanchard. She was educated in Cumberland schools and graduated from Greely Institute, Class of 1938. She went on to Farmington Normal School and married the love of her life, Loring Norton, in 1939.
Ruth’s role in life was that of matriarch of Norton Farm. She had a natural ability of bringing people together, be it gathering them around a friendly dining room table, socializing at the harness races or attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, great-grandchildren’s sporting events – for Ruth, life was all about family and people where ever she went.
Ruth’s love of others was strengthened by her faith as a Christian and revealed itself in her nurturing care, strong family values, ethical and honorable relationships. Her baking was also heavenly. She had a sharp mind to the end and was grateful for any gesture of kindness shown.
Ruth is survived by her two daughters: Joanne Hamilton of Falmouth and Judy Ambrose of Falmouth; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; her sister-in-law Gerry Morton; her brother-in-law Percy Norton; many nieces and nephews and a large extended family. She was predeceased by her husband Loring Norton and her brothers: Richard and Stanley Blanchard.
Visiting hours will be on Thursday December 20 from 4 – 7 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry lane, Yarmouth. Funeral service will be on Friday December 21 at 11:00 AM at Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Road, Falmouth with a reception in the church hall after. Burial will be in West Cumberland Cemetery in the spring of 2013. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Ruth’s life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with her family.
For those who wish donations may be made in Ruth’s honor to: Falmouth Congregational Church or the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals.
Services
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Funeral Service Friday, December 21, 2012
- Visiting Hours Thursday, December 20, 2012
- Reception Friday, December 21, 2012
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Burial - Spring 2013
REMEMBERING
Ruth E. Blachard Norton
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RECEIVE UPDATESBethany Graffam
December 23, 2012
my great grandmother, my best friend. i love you so much and i miss you more than words could say. I miss so many things about you, but one thing i will miss most is just being able to go down stairs to see you. I will miss seeing you come out to the barn almost everyday just to say hi and to tell me 'make sure you come in for lunch!' You are the best. I love you very much. forever in my heart.
Bethany Graffam
December 23, 2012
my great grandmother, my best friend. i love you so much and i miss you more than words could say. I miss so many things about you, but one thing i will miss most is just being able to go down stairs to see you. I will miss seeing you come out to the barn almost everyday just to say hi and to tell me 'make sure you come in for lunch!' You are the best. I love you very much. forever in my heart.
December 23, 2012
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mother, I think that is the great loss in a persons life. Praying for you all. Sandra Nason
Laura (Wilson) Willis
December 22, 2012
Dear Judy and family,
I am sorry to hear of Ruth's passing. She was such an inspiration to so many! Her smile would light up a room as she entered - how blessed we all were to have her in our lives
You are all in my thoughts and prayers during the coming days
Donna Searles
December 21, 2012
I'm very sorry for your loss. She was a very remarkable woman and will be missed by so many people.
December 21, 2012
God bless. I moved away, but each time I came back home I'd visit and I always looked forward to talking with her. She will remain in my heart and we will talk again by and by. Keith Morton
Della
December 21, 2012
Great Gram. A joyous Christmas in Heaven
Betsy Richards
December 21, 2012
I am blessed to have so many wonderful childhood memories of you and the farm. We may have just been neighbors but you will always be "Grammie downstairs" to me. With Love Betsy (Beal) Richards
December 21, 2012
Virginia Whitney Hulbert I remember Ruth in Greely's Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta PINAFORE. She was Buttercup Rest in Peace, Ruth
December 21, 2012
The Tukey family wishes to extend their sincere condolences.
December 20, 2012
Judy am so sorry to here about your mother my thoughts and prayes go with you and your family. Anita Scribner Davis
Melissa Jackson
December 20, 2012
We will all miss you so much Auntie Ruth! You had a gift for always making everyone feel welcome. One of my fondest memories was coming to the farm and making my very first lemon meringue pie. I was only 5 or 6 but I was so proud of it when I brought it home to Grampa & Grammy. Thank you for all of the great times at the farm and for coming to watch the boys play basketball. They really enjoyed your visits and seeing you at camp. We love you! Melissa, Dion, Dion Jr., Desmond, Davion, Dylon & Donovan
Maggie Fournier
December 20, 2012
Ruth was a friend and I thank her for all of the wonderful chats and laughter we shared. Her kindness to Emily over the many years we kept Donder at the farm will be remembered ...as well as her egg business with Nick when he was little. I will miss her. Maggie Fournier
December 20, 2012
The Cumberland Historical Society has lost another dear member. Ruth was a great source of information for us. George and I will also personally miss her.
George and Carolyn Small
December 20, 2012
Ruth always made us feel like family. In fact, we just received her Christmas card which always had a personal note. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. John & Gerhild Paris
Nonesuch Temple No. 50 Order of Pythian Sisters, Scarborough, Maine
December 20, 2012
We will miss Sister Ruth. She was a very sweet and lovely lady with kind words for everyone. Her presence at our meetings will be surely missed.
barbara and kathy garsoe & poirier
December 20, 2012
From my mother, Barbara Blanchard Garsoe," Ruth was my life-long friend, cousin and classmate. She was full of fun and life. I shall miss her."
I always admired her commitment to her family, and her energy to get the job done. katherine garsoe poirier
kathryn maclean
December 20, 2012
My most heart felt condolences.....Ruth was a remarkable woman.
Martial Mason
December 20, 2012
Any one who knew her will miss her. I will. My condolences to all of her family.
Lynelle Anania
December 20, 2012
~~ We are deeply saddened by the loss of great grammie Ruth. She certainly inspired a sense of compassion and peacefulness in each of us. Her smile and kind words will forever remain in our hearts! Sincerely with love, Lynelle, Lindsay, Jaclyn & Bobby
Kim Hourihan
December 20, 2012
From Hurricane Ski Slope to sending me home with your homemade soup and banana bread; You could do it all!! You truly enriched my life.
Catherine Singleton
December 20, 2012
Auntie Ruth, Thank you for giving me an amazing childhood. I have so many wonderful memories of times spent with you and Uncle. You taught me how to gather and "candle" eggs, how to care for horses, and how to ski. You gave me my first "permanent". You have been the heart and soul, the glue really for so many of us Norton women. Your sparkle and humor have been a sprinkling of joy to any family get together.You've never forgotten my birthday and yours was the first Christmas card received this year, and most years. The Lord has truly blessed us by giving us the gift of You! - Love from your niece, Cathy
Lynette and Rod Jones
December 20, 2012
"Ruth, you will be missed so very much...we always looked forward to visiting you and your family at the farm.. and you were the most wonderful great-grandmother to my grandchildren...all memories will be cherished...rest with God and Loring.
December 20, 2012
WITH SYMPATHY TO JOAN & JUDY. WE ENJOYED CHATTING WITH YOUR MOTHER AT THE FAIR.
DON & JOAN ESTABROOK
Stephanie Enaire
December 19, 2012
Aunt Ruth was an amazing woman. I am so blessed to be part of such an amazing family. Love to you all.
Pamela Hodsdon
December 19, 2012
To Joanne,
Our sincere and deepest sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your mom. May God bless you today and in the days ahead. Cherish all those wonderful memories.
Kelly Cotiaux
December 19, 2012
What a role model for us all. What a woman, what a life. ~Kelly Hamilton Stoddard Cotiaux
December 19, 2012
It is obvious that you, the Family, have experienced a tremendous loss. May the peace promised in God's Word Second Corinthians 1.3,4 sustain all of you and help you endure. Trust in God, He is there and will provide whatever you may need to get through this very tough time of pain and sorrow. Please accept my sincere condolences, along with the prayers of my family.
Jeanie Lewis
December 19, 2012
Rest in peace great gram. Thanks for all the great memories, I'm going to miss you and your awesome cooking!! Love you
Elizabeth Tarantino
December 19, 2012
Thank you for all your years of dedicated service to the Cumberland Farmer's Club and the Cumberland Fair. Your presence will be sorely missed.
~The Officers, Directors and Members of Cumberland Farmer's Club.
Jacqueline
December 19, 2012
We will like to extend to all the family members and friends of Ruth Norton. So many will miss her kindness and compassionate personality.
Please take comfort in knowing our God is greater than all we suffer, and will soon restore mankind to perfection.
MADELINE (gOSS)rOBERTS
December 19, 2012
A truly lovely lady. I was fortunate to have know Ruth. I am so sorry for your loss.
Jeff Graffam
December 19, 2012
We will miss her warm, caring ways. She was an amazing woman! One of the many things Gram did for us was make the best banana bread in the world. She enjoyed giving it to us, knowing we enjoyed it so much. No one could make it like Gram!
Pamela Merrill
December 19, 2012
I will always cherish the stories and love of your family you shared with me in the short time I knew you. Rest in Peace.
Ina Salber
December 19, 2012
Our visits to Maine in the summer just won't be the same without you! We have so many wonderful memories at the farm and at camp. My kids still remember you on the jet ski just a few years ago. You were a beautiful person and we are so lucky to have had you for an Aunt! Rest in peace.
Jeff,Ina, Joseph, Benjamin and Rebecca
December 19, 2012
Gram was the best grandmother anyone could ask for! A warm heart (and kitchen) made her loved by all that knew her! We will miss your amazing banana bread Gram. No one can make it like you did! -Jeff
Jeff Graffam
December 19, 2012
December 19, 2012
Jeff Graffam
December 19, 2012
Jeff Graffam
December 19, 2012
Jeff Graffam
December 19, 2012
Kathleen Gerdes
December 19, 2012
I will treasure your stories of the past......Hurricane Ski Slope and how you and the girls baked goodies for the skiiers.......your days in Portland aboard the horse drawn wagon.....your days of cooking meals for the crew at the barn......your days of harness racing with Loring........your love and gratitude for the family who loved you and cared for you.
December 19, 2012
Auntie Ruth, you were the kindest and most loving aunt anyone could ever have. The Farm won't be the same without you there. Love from your niece, Mary
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