Hanover, N.H. — Ruth Johnson Wormwood, 94, died Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at Kendal At Hanover. She was born in Springfield, Mass. on May 4, 1922, to Henry Reynolds Johnson, founder of Johnson’s Bookstore, and Helen Juniata Davis. She graduated from Springfield Classical High School in 1940 and from Mount Holyoke College Phi Beta Kappa in 1943. She married in Springfield, Mass. to Paul Nelson Wormwood on Memorial Day 1943.

Ruth devoted herself to raising four daughters but continued her interest in intellectual pursuits by her activities in the AAUW, League of Women Voters, and taking courses at UNH, UMass in Amherst, Mass. and St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vt. Ruth earned her Professional Standard Certificate in July 1970 and was licensed to teach in the public elementary schools. She loved her new career of teaching home bound children.

Ruth gave back to the community in many ways – as a Girl Scout leader, a Red Cross volunteer during the war years, and as an aide to the children served by the Vermont Achievement Center in Rutland, Vt. She was very fond of musicals and over the years enjoyed knitting, sewing, bridge, gardening, and fun day trips with her grandchildren.

After many moves throughout New England, Ruth and Paul chose to retire to Hanover, becoming founding members of Kendal in 1991. They quickly made many friends and enjoyed the many activities Kendal had to offer.

Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years. She is survived by four daughters, Ann Penn of Pepperell, Mass., Elizabeth Newcomb, of New York City, Janet Jordan of Storrs, Conn., and Nancy Wormwood of Northfield, Vt.; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a private memorial service.