Ruth Evelyn Keith

Ruth Evelyn (Peterson) Keith of West Boylston passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Sterling Village in Sterling. Born on Oakholm Farm in Brookfield, she was the daughter of Swedish emigrants, Gustav Stellan and Hildur Lovisa (Fantenberg) Peterson. Her beloved husband of 65 years, Robert Harold Keith passed away in 2013. She was also predeceased by her sister, Marie Ingram, in 2013.

Ruth graduated from Brookfield High School and Becker College (then Becker Junior College) and worked at the American Optical Company in Southbridge until her marriage. After several years in Worcester, she, along with her husband and three children, settled in West Boylston. There, she became an active member of the First Congregational Church, participating in various committees, serving as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, office volunteer, and thrift store volunteer. She also played roles in many church plays and assisted several Girl Scout leaders.

In 1950, her husband, Robert Keith, established the ice cream business at Pinecroft Dairy. Ruth dedicated herself to Pinecroft Dairy until her retirement in 1999. During her tenure, she scooped ice cream, decorated ice cream cakes made with Pinecroft Dairy's offerings, and undertook various tasks, including quick runs for chocolate chips and delivering milk to campers. She also served as the Secretary to the National Association of Ice Cream Retailers.

Beyond her professional life, Ruth was an enthusiastic baker, seamstress, knitter, and gardener. She cherished travel and had a special love for swimming at Ogunquit, ME.

She is survived by three children: a son, Randall, and wife Patricia Keith of West Boylston, MA; daughter Linda and husband Edward (Ned) Blake of South Dennis, MA; and daughter Lisa and husband Richard Hartman of Douglas. Her grandchildren include Linnea Blake, Christian Blake, Alissa (Anderson) and her husband Michael Bookman, and Jessica (Anderson) and her husband Cory Lemay. She is also remembered by three nieces, Deborah Wiggin, Diane Wiggin, and Julie Ingram, and two nephews, Cliff Ingram and Steven Ingram.

A Memorial Service honoring and celebrating Ruth's life will be held at 11 a. on Friday, May 10, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A private committal service will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations in her memory to the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA 01583.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit Ruth's Tribute Wall on this page.