Bethel, Vt. —
She was born Aug. 31, 1923, in Bethel, the daughter of Ruel T. Abbott and Myrtle (Burridge) Abbott. Ruth was a lifetime resident of Bethel, and graduated from Whitcomb High School in 1942. She was accepted into The School of Nursing of Heaton Hospital in Montpelier, Vt., for a three-year course in the Practice and Theory of Nursing, graduating in 1947. Upon graduation she started her 50 yr. nursing career at Gifford Memorial, in Randolph, Vt. While working at Gifford she received her R.N. degree.
Ruth and Clarence W. (Red) Mills were married in Bethel on Sept. 4, 1948, in the United Church where she was a life long member and sang in the choir. Ruth and Red were married for 53 years until he passed away in 2002. She was a member of the Unity Circle of Bethel.
For life, Ruth was a true sports fan and vocal participant, only getting one technical from the bleachers. She especially loved to ski and the memories of skiing that never faded. She was the ultimate cheerleader for her children and grandchildren, hardly ever missing any game they played. She loved her New England professional sport teams, most importantly, the Red Sox and Celtics. She enjoyed knitting and reading, but above all – the camp in Grand Isle, Vt., was her very special place.
Ruth’s brothers, James and Richard Abbott, and sister in-law Clara predecease her. Her brother and sister in-laws Arthur and Rachel Abbott of Bethel and Lucile Abbott of Arlington, Texas survive her. She is also survived and greatly missed by her sons, Jim Mills and Gay Travers of Quechee, Vt., and Jeffrey and Joanne Mills of Stockbridge, Vt. in addition to her grandchildren, Sadie Mills and Christy Pilsucki of South Burlington, Vt.; Samantha Mills and Christoph Wingensiefen, of Morrisville, Vt.; Browne Mills and Aimee Stanley-Burke of Lunenberg, Mass.; Meredith Mills and Kyle Plastridge of Stockbridge, Vt.; Theodore and Allison Mills of Barre, Vt.; as well as her great-grandchildren: Willa and Griffin Johnson and Jacob Mills; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Menig Extended Care facility for the extraordinary care and attention they gave Ruth.
There will be a Celebration of Ruth’s life at the United Church of Bethel, on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. Burial will be at a later date at Fairview Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the United Church of Bethel. Online condolences may be left at www.dayfunerals.com.
Arrangements are by the Day Funeral Home in Randolph.