Ruth Stebbins Mudge, 93, a long-time resident of Farmington, passed away on March 25, peacefully in her sleep. She had been living with her eldest daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Jim Wade in Walpole, for the past several years.
Ruth was born on Nov. 20, 1921, to Hugh and Vera Stebbins in Wellsboro, Penn. She attended Wellsboro schools and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education at Mansfield (PA) State College, and earned her master’s degree in dietetics at Penn State University.
She was married briefly to her first husband, Donald Basney, before he was killed on D-Day in the advance on Normandy Beach during WWII. Later, she married her husband of 54 years, Dr. John E. Mudge, whose position as a biology professor took them to Farmington, where he taught at the university there for 30 years.
Ruth was a stay at home mom to their three daughters as they grew, while being active in numerous church activities as well as co-leading a troop of Girl Scouts for 12 years. With her girls grown, Ruth began to enjoy a career as a Registered Dietician, mainly as Dietary Consultant at the Redington-Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan. Ruth and John were long-time members of the Beans Corner Baptist Church and for many years Ruth enjoyed and often taught a Bible study with a group of very dear friends.
Many of Ruth’s happiest moments were spent with family and friends at the family cottage on Porter Lake.
Ruth is predeceased by her husband, John E. Mudge; parents, Hugh and Vera Stebbins; and brothers, Edwin Stebbins and Robert Stebbins.
Ruth is survived by daughters, Barbara Wade and husband Jim of Walpole, Bette Johannes and husband Dan of Chantilly, Va., and Patricia Ruth Maynard and husband Kurt of Skowhegan; seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, Kimberly Pauley, husband Jason and their daughters Mikayla and Morgyn, Amanda Fortier, husband Kevan and their daughters Autumn and Phoebe Ruth, all of Waldoboro; Gabe Johannes, wife Emily and their daughter Etta, and Caleb Johannes, all of Valparaiso, Ind.; Holly Johannes Slater, husband Joel, and sons Finn, True, and Brave, of South Riding, Va.; E.J. Maynard and wife Amy of Baltimore, Md.; and Ben Maynard and wife Kim of Windsor, Conn.; and many caring relatives and friends.
Ruth had requested a quiet graveside service with her family and friends in attendance, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, a date and time to be announced for later this spring.
Remembrance gifts in memory of Ruth can be made to Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Cremation and memorial services are being cared for and provided by Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington.
Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.
