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In Her Words
Candid profiles of strength told by the women of Northbridge

Throughout the month of March we have collaborated to celebrate Women’s History Month and the rich history of the amazing women living in our communities. Their candid stories are brimming over with love, happiness, passion, family values and the markings of individuals who have truly lived well and loved life.

Ruth’s Story (Resident of Granite Hill Estates)

What is your name:
Ruth

What are the names of your parents and brothers and sisters?
Father: Dr. Werner, mother: Traute, sister: Margrite

How did your parents choose your name? Does it have a special meaning? Did you have any nicknames?
My father chose my name from Ruth in the Bible, it means “Your peoples should be my people. ”My nicknames are Lippy and Ruthie.

When and where were you born?
I was born in Heidelberg, Germany in September 1930.

What kinds of things did your family do together when you were young?
Walks in the forests and parks in Stettin, Germany. Lots of family celebration.

What did you love to do with your friends?
Roller skating, playing pretend and paper dolls. I designed the dresses for my paper dolls.

What schools did you attend? What were your favorite subjects?
In Stettin and Berlin Germany; Detroit, Michigan; Bangor and Orno Maine; Rhode Island School of Design. My favorite subjects were Art, Music and Theater.

If married, what is/was your husband’s name? How did he propose?
My first husband was Seldan. There was no real proposal we just assumed we would get married and we were married for 10 years and had one daughter together. My second husband is Ted. We have been together for 45 years and married for 40 years, we couldn’t stand to be apart. He didn’t propose either.

What are your children’s names?
Nicoli (my daughter) Eve (Ted’s daughter) I have been part of Eve’s life since she was two years old.

What are some special memories you have about your children?
To see my children develop into such wonderful adult women. When they were young girls they put on plays for Ted and I complete with costumes and scenery which they designed.

Where have you lived?
Heidelberg and Stitten Germany; Detriot, Michigan; Providence, Rhode Island; Bangor, Augusta, Readfield and Hallowell, Maine.

Have you had jobs? Who did you work for and what did you do?
I worked as a cataloger at John Hay Library, Brown Univeristy, Providence, Rhode Island. I also waited on tables, was a nursery school teacher at Colby College and a kindergarten teacher in West Gardiner Maine for 25 years.

What are your hidden talents?
Soloist at churches in the area, Colby Glee Club, also many choirs in the area. Worked with Peter Re’, Instructor of Music at Colby College. Artist and Poet, I have published two books of poetry. Some of Ruth’s poems are about when she and her family fled Germany in 1939 for USA when Nazi were in power.

What did you do to get through the difficult times in your life?
Optimistic personality, friends and family to support you and I went to a therapist.

Do you have holiday traditions? What do you do for the holidays?
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we celebrate with a tree and gifts, it was always very important to my mother.

What are some of your favorite things?
Favorite colors? All colors
Favorite flowers? Depends on the time of year
Favorite books? To Kill a Mockingbird and Stoner
Favorite songs? God Bless America and Simple Gifts
Favorite foods? Eggs, fruit and vegetables
Favorite pets? All dogs that we have owned, especially my Golden Doodle

What are some personal experiences that have especially touched your heart?
The birth of my daughter Nicoli, my marriage to Ted and Ted’s memorial- over 100 people attended.

What are your favorite things to do now?
Meet with friends, read, sing and eat.

What are you favorite experiences to partake in at Granite Hill Estates?
Book group, getting together with friends around the piano to sing when Addie Breen plays the piano. Dinner with friends.

What do you hope for your children and grandchildren?
Wish I had grandchildren. Wish my daughters live a life that has meaning for them.

What is your biggest piece of advice?
Experience life and enjoy every moment of your life.

Sum your personality up in 1 word?
Enthusiastic