MOUNT DESERT and BARRE, Vt. – Ruth Holmes Smith Gott, 88, died Nov. 26, 2005, at Woodridge Nursing Home in Barre, Vt. She was born Jan. 25, 1917, in Ellsworth the daughter of Roscoe H. and Hazel B. (Homes) Smith. Ruth graduated from Ellsworth Public High School in 1934. After high school she clerked at J.J. Newberry & Co., Ellsworth. She later assisted Judge Crabtree in Ellsworth. She was married to J. Austin Gott from 1939-1968. She assisted him in all his duties as town clerk of Tremont for many years. Ruth lovingly cared for small children in her home during the early 1950s. She later worked in the McKinley branch of the Machiasport Canning Company and assisted in the McKinley Post Office. She was also a clerk for the Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Co. in Southwest Harbor, a house mother at Endicott Jr. College in Beverly, Mass. and a clerk-typist for the Senior Companion Program for Hancock County. At this point Ruth started her formal education and attended the Farmington State Teachers’ College earning a bachelor of science in Home Economics on June 2, 1968. She did her student teaching in Dixfield and was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Society and received the Stokely-Van Camps Silver Trivet Award for Outstanding home economics Achievement. Ruth professionally taught home economics in Waldoboro for two years and at Mount Desert Island High School, for 10 years, where upon retirement, the yearbook was dedicated in her honor. Ruth then earned her real estate license and joined Maxine M. Clark Real Estate, Southwest Harbor, for a short time. She was a companion for several elderly ladies over a period of 10-12 years. She was friendly, energetic, insightful and caring to each of them. Gardening was her true love. Many hours of each growing season she labored lovingly, producing a most beautiful display of colorful blooms’. Her favorite was the pink poppies. Ruth was a wonderfully active member of the Somesville Village. She volunteered hours at the village library, historical society and worked unselfishly on most community projects the Somesville Union Meeting House sponsored. She was a dedicated mother for her daughter, Jane. She always wanted the very best for her only child. She had a deep and loving relationship with her two grandchildren and would be “waiting on the doorstep” for them whenever a planned visit was scheduled. She was thoroughly content in her Somesville home and felt it was “the sweetest little house in the whole wide world.” Ruth was a past member of the Congregational Church in McKinley and the Somesville Union Meeting House, UCC, Mount Desert. She was also a past member of a number of clubs which included the Milay Study Club in McKinley for several years, the area Garden Club and the Order of the Eastern Star, No. 20, Mount Desert. Ruth is survived by a daughter, Jane G. Wass and companion, Vincent Sassone, of Barre, Vt.; a grandson, Andrew L. Wass and significant other, Karen King, of Waterbury, Vt.; a granddaughter, Kara A. Wass and significant other, Douglas Mynter, of Williamsburg, Vt.; one niece, Irene Smith; and two nephews, James and Michael Smith. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother, James H. Smith; and a nephew, Robert Smith. Friends are invited to call from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert. A Celebration of Ruth’s life will be held 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Somesville Union Meeting House, Main Street, Mount Desert, with the Rev. Victor Stanley presiding. A reception will follow at Jordan-Fernald. Interment will be at Woodbine Cemetery, Ellsworth. Those who desire may make contributions in Ruth’s memory to the Somesville Union Meeting House, UCC, P.O. Box 96, Mount Desert, ME 04660.
RUTH H. GOTT
