West Woodstock, Vermont

Ruth Ellen Robinson Beebee of West Woodstock Vermont, died peacefully, surrounded by family at the age of 90, at the Merten's House Nursing Home in Woodstock Vermont on July 28th, 2018.

Ruth was born at Randolph Vermont Hospital on June 7th, 1928, to Ralph Davis and Hilda Mary (Woods) Robinson of West Woodstock. She was raised with her sister, Mary, on a small hilltop farm near the West Woodstock-Bridgewater town-line. She attended the Lincoln one-room schoolhouse in West Woodstock Vermont, then the Woodstock High School graduating in 1946.  She married William C. Beebee, also of Woodstock, on her 19th birthday in 1947.

Ruth was a loving and devoted wife and stay-at-home mother for her six children, the last with Down's Syndrome, whom she treasured and advocated for, her entire life.  Her children remember their mother's vigor and vitality as she cooked, baked, tended two large gardens of vegetables and gladiolas, canned, sewed, knit crocheted, was active in the community, yet still found time to play indoor and outdoor games with them.

Ruth belonged to the Woodstock Women's Candle-pin Bowling league, winning many trophies in the 60's and 70's. Throughout her life, Ruth left her imprint on the community, serving others as a leader in 4-H Club, at the Woodstock First Congregational Church, the Green Mountain, then the Bridgewater Grange as a member for both of the latter for over five decades, including her position as Grange-Master for many years.  In her later years, she remained as physically and mentally active as possible, attending the Thompson Senior Center in West Woodstock, and remained sweet-natured and full of good humor.

Ruth will be remembered by her family and all those she encountered as a source of quiet strength, wisdom and comfort in difficult times, honest, yet diplomatic, kind, gentle, patient, and full of gracious humor.  Most of all she will be remembered for her steadfast faith in our Lord Jesus.  Ruth lived her faith, prayed, and never worried, and by the grace of God, everything always worked out for her.  She has left us an example and a legacy of unwavering faith and a life well-lived to all of those who knew and loved her.

Ruth is pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, Bill, her sister Mary, and her grandson, Michael.  Ruth is survived by her six children, Rhonda Bruce and husband Daniel, MaryEllen Schwartz, Myron Beebee, Lenora Beebee, Doreen Streeter, and husband David Sherman, and Frederick Beebee. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Matthew Murphy, Katie Schwartz, Joshua and Timothy Streeter, Kelly S. Beebee and husband, Glenn Nelson, Joshua and Kristin McGary, Sarah Freeman, and great-grandchildren, Nathan (Freeman) Cooper, and Benjamin Myron McGary, nieces, nephew and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at the First Congregational Church Elm Street, Woodstock Vermont on Tuesday, July 31st at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Reverend Brian Myers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Thompson Senior Center, 99 Senior Lane, Woodstock, VT, or The Merten's House Nursing Home, 73 River Street, Woodstock VT 05091.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont.  An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com