Wilder, Vt. —
Vergil’s career as a medical school faculty member and birth-defects researcher prompted moves to university towns in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Florida, and Ruth took on the roles of faculty wife, suburban housewife/chauffeur for their four baby-boomer children, and vet for their various pets. The relocations ended in 1961, when Vergil accepted a faculty position at Dartmouth Medical School and the family moved to Hanover. In 1962, Vergil and Ruth bought and renovated a farmhouse on Dogford Road in Etna, later building a new home nearby.
The couple enjoyed the scenic natural world of their Etna home, and also spent part of each summer at their lakeside cottage in Mercer, Wisconsin. There the family enjoyed boating and fishing on the many lakes and rivers of the region with extended family of several generations.
As her younger children neared adulthood in the mid-1970s, Ruth embarked on what became a quarter-century campaign to breed English Springer Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels of both good house-pet temperament and, if possible, show quality. Through their Lordillea Kennel, Ruth and Vergil raised and placed dozens of puppies in nurturing homes – in more than a few cases their own. Among the Springers of which Lordillea was the breeder or a co-breeder, many went on to win awards at prestigious dog shows including the Westminster Dog Show. Ruth retired from the breeding and raising dogs at the turn of the century when the hands-on work became physically difficult for her, but Lordillea ancestry still adorns the pedigrees of champion English Springer Spaniels.
During this time, Ruth worked for ten years as a lab assistant at the Dartmouth Medical School. She also became a major fan of the Red Sox and the Patriots, and an avid tennis follower. She was a most ardent fan of her grandchildren’s many athletic and creative pursuits. And she was a long-time backer of Democratic politics, especially supportive of progressive women candidates.
When Vergil died in 2007, Ruth moved to The Greens in Hanover in 2009 and to Valley Terrace in 2015. Ruth is survived by her four children: Dan Ferm (Mary) of Bainbridge Island, Washington; David Ferm (Nora Jacobson) of Norwich; Judith Brown (Jim) of Norwich; and Susan McLaughry (Buff) of Norwich; as well as by nine grandchildren (Nora, Ruby, Rachel, Sam, Leah, Ivan, Forrest, Luke and Claire); and two great-grandchildren (Henry and Sabina). Until the very end, Ruth treasured and enjoyed their company. She attributed living past age 90 to good genes, luck, and regular enjoyment of chocolate.
Ruth’s family is grateful to the staff at Valley Terrace and to everyone who cared for her during her last months. The family will memorialize Ruth privately. Donations in her memory are welcome at the English Springer Rescue Association (ESRA), 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Ste. 620-305, Woodstock, GA 30189 (also accepted on line at www.springerrescue.org).