Ruth C. Dolloff, 80, of Boothbay Harbor, passed away from complications of pneumonia at St. Andrews Hospital, on Christmas Day, with members of her family by her side.
Ruth was born in Boston on Aug. 18, 1926, the daughter of the late Andrew and Florence Mae Carter, and was raised in Millis and Medford. After graduating from Melrose High School, class of 1943, she attended the School of Nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, from which she received her registered nursing degree.
Ruth first came to the Boothbay region in 1949 and became interested in part-time work at St. Andrews Hospital. Like so many people, Ruth fell in love with Maine and arranged to return for the next few summers. It was during one such return to the Boothbay Harbor region that she met the man who would be her husband for 41 years, C. Austin Dolloff. They married on June 17, 1952, in Melrose, Mass.
Together, Ruth and Austin made their home in Boothbay Harbor, where they raised their six children. Ruth went on to become the visiting nurse, public health nurse and school nurse for the Boothbay region during her long and dedicated career, which spanned more than three decades.
Rudy, as she became known in her later years, enjoyed spending time with her family, tending her flower and vegetable gardens, taking rides to Ocean Point and Southport, reading, cooking, sewing, classical music (pre 20th century!) and, above all, good conversation. She had a good wit and sense of humor, and a soft and generous heart. Rudy believed that all people deserved to be treated fairly and with compassion; she often prepared meals and performed other small acts of kindness for families in need. She was well known and loved by her family and friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Austin, who passed away in December 1991.
She is survived by six children, Jerry and wife Cindy of Springfield, Mass., Andy and wife Connie Fitzsimmons of Blacksburg, Va., Howard and wife Joan of Baltimore and Colorado, Lesley Sprague and husband Bill of Manchester, Signe Klinger of Bloomsburg, Pa., and Amy Ronan and husband Sean of Boothbay Harbor, whose home she shared over the last few years. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one nephew, two nieces, and their families.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army, 127 Pleasant St., Brunswick, ME 04011, or the Salvation Army, 30 Warren Ave., Portland, ME 04103, or to the Salvation Army of your choice.
At Ruth’s request, there will be no public visiting hours. Services will be private and held in the summer.
Arrangements by Simmons, Harrington and Hall Funeral Home.