Ruth E. (Powderly) Johnston

BERLIN/BOLTON – Ruth E. (Powderly) Johnston, 96, of Pleasant St., Berlin, died Monday, November 9, 2009 in the Sterling Healthcare Nursing & Rehab. Center. She was better known to many who loved her as "Nana Ruth".

Ruth devoted her life to her family and community. Her deep religious faith was always present and she played the bells in her Bedford Church. In Bolton she was a founding member of Trinity Church where she was director and taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and participated in many church activities, many of which she hosted at home.

Ruth was a telephone operator in Bolton and shared many stories of the crank phone calls. She also worked at the Bolton Post Office and served as an emergency service dispatcher for the Bolton and Berlin Fire Departments, with the fire service based out of her home. She was proud to serve and be Bolton's first police matron. She was a member of the Bolton Senior Citizens and a 50-year member of the National Grange.

She was an avid knitter and enjoyed sewing and cross-stitch. One of her greatest jobs was reading to her children and grandchildren. She loved the role of Mother Goose at community functions. For many years she spent her summers at Chittenden Campground in Vermont where she served as hostess and is remembered by a trail named in her honor.

Ruth was born and lived in Cambridge and moved with her family to Bedford in 1927 and in 1952 to Bolton with her husband and children. Nana Ruth was predeceased by her husband and hero of 36 years, Thomas Johnston, Jr. in 1965. She leaves four daughters, Margaret Babcock and her husband Norman of Bolton, Barbara Gill from Monument Beach, Betty Nelson and Bonnie Grinkis and her husband David, all of Sterling; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Johnston of Brandon, VT; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. A son, Thomas Johnston III passed away on January 6, 1995.

Ruth was the oldest of 10 children, daughter of Richard J. and Ethel L. (Venoit) Powderly. She leaves five siblings, Elizabeth O'Connell and Frances Sullivan, both of Bedford, Ethel Pellerin of Westford, Robert Powderly of Maynard and Paul Powderly of Norfolk. She was predeceased by two sisters, Marion McGrath and Doris Litchfield, and two brothers, Kenneth and Richard Powderly. She has been called "Aunt Ruthie" by endless nieces and nephews of this huge Powderly and Johnston families. And we would be amiss not to mention all of her friends, both old and young, that loved Nana Ruth – she cherished each and everyone.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12th, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. The funeral service for Ruth will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 13th, in the Trinity Church, 14 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton. Burial will follow in South Cemetery, Bolton. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's name may be made to Why Me? & Sherry's House, 1152 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com