Ruth Rhoads Lepper Gardner, 105, of Southport, renowned artist, mapmaker and local personality, passed away April 16 at Cove’s Edge in Damariscotta.
Born in Norwood, Mass. on June 27, 1905, Ruth was the eldest daughter of George Mitchell Lepper and Louisa Rhoads Lepper. Ruth attended Norwood High School and Pembroke College of Brown University in Providence, R.I. Later, she also attended the Rhode Island School of Design and the Museum School at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
As a young protege for an artistic aunt, Ruth had the opportunity to travel the world. She sailed on some of the most famous ocean liners of her time. As a young woman she lived in Greenwich Village, N.Y. Nicknamed “Red” for her red hair and fiery personality, Ruth sometimes posed as a live model for artists while she enjoyed the excitement of the New York bohemian lifestyle. She also worked at Macy’s.
As an early summer person, Ruth nurtured a lifelong devotion to Maine. Ruth’s grandparents lived on Southport Island and Ruth enjoyed island life long before bridges were built, when all roads “were nothing more than cart-paths.” As a child, Ruth would take the steamboat down east from Boston, then transfer to a local boat to get to the Island. Ruth and her husband, Cornelius Gardner, courted on Southport Island before they were married and moved to the island permanently in 1947.
Ruth and Cornelius Gardner married on July 4, 1942 at the famous Trinity Church in Newport, R.I. When they met, Ruth held a job as a Draftsman for the U.S. Navy where she developed her love of mapmaking. Ruth was able to combine her extraordinary artistic skills with mapmaking as she designed, produced and pedaled dozens of unique illustrated maps featuring the history of Maine. As part of her historical research, she served the Maine Coast Mission aboard the Sunbeam, also known as “God’s Tugboat.” During these voyages, Ruth made maps and sketches to illustrate “Anchor to Windward,” a book about the mission.
Ruth was also especially good at pen and ink architectural portraits, which she would do on commission as a freelance illustrator. But when it came to painting, watercolors were Ruth’s medium of choice. She loved the view of the ocean from her house and painted the same scenery many times. In addition to the visual arts, Ruth was also an accomplished cellist and enjoyed playing in orchestras.
On May 15, 2004, Ruth received a Distinguished Achievement Award for her life’s work from the University of Southern Maine. Ruth had no children of her own, but she was an influential elder to all her family and close friends. Known as Ruth, Ruthie or Red by most, she was lovingly referred to as “Auntie,” or “Auntie De-ah” by her family.
Ruth was predeceased by younger siblings, George Warren Lepper and Cynthia Lepper Reed. Ruth was also widowed when her husband, Cornelius Gardner passed away in 1973.
She leaves her loving niece, Cynthia Reed-Workman of Portland; nephew, John S. Reed and wife Sue Welsh Reed of Cambridge, Mass.; grand-nephews, Gordon N. Workman, George S. Workman and John Charles Workman; and grand-nieces, Elizabeth Reed and Beatrice Reed; four great-grand-nieces; and four great-grand-nephews.
Memorial service to celebrate Ruth’s life 11 a.m., Sat., April 23 at the Southport United Methodist Church, Rt. 27, Southport. A reception will follow the service.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos and memories with the Gardner family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
