BLUE HILL – Ruth Saunders Slaven died April 13, 2006, at an area hospital, of heart problems following surgery for a broken hip. She was 87, soon to be 88. Known widely as “Rudy,” Ruth Hinckley Saunders was born May 23, 1918, in Blue Hill, the daughter of Lena (Maddox) Saunders and Henry A. Saunders. She attended Blue Hill schools, and in 1936 married Robert Knowles Slaven, also of Blue Hill. He predeceased her in 2004 after 68 years of marriage. One son, Brian W. Slaven of Bangor, died in February of this year. Rudy much enjoyed the travel and social activities associated with being an Army wife. She taught English to Japanese school children while living with her family in Tokyo after World War II. When her husband was posted to West Germany, she served as president of the combined PTA for the large school system operated by the military for dependant children. She raised their three sons, all born in Blue Hill, at Army installations around the U.S. and overseas. The many activities and organizations with which she was involved over the years reflect her wide range of interests. Rudy was a Girl Scout leader and a librarian at the Blue Hill Library from which position she could keep a finger on the pulse of the community. She was president of the Blue Hill Garden Club when it received a prestigious award for restoring the gardens at the historic Holt House. She always found a book club to join, sang in the Bagaduce Chorale and was an avid bridge player, welcomed to the last by the ladies of her bridge group. She loved animals and doted on her pets almost as much as she doted on the many children in her life. Stone House, which they bought when her husband retired from the service and which was their residence for 40 years, was usually brimming with guests and was often the scene of festive events and gatherings for wonderful meals. She is survived by her two sons, Captain Robert K. Slaven Jr. USN (ret.) and his wife, Linda, of Blue Hill and Michael W. Slaven of Bangor. Other survivors are six grandchildren, Robert K. Slaven III of San Francisco, Calif., Merrill S. Brache and her husband, Gerald, of Orland, Kelly J. Slaven, Catherine S. Hamel, Elizabeth S. Marsh and her husband, Eric, and Brian W. Slaven Jr. and his wife, Kim, all of the Bangor area. She is also survived by her sister, Clair Saunders Ashworth and her husband, Bruce, of Overland Park, Kan.; and four great-grandchildren, Jeremy Slaven, Merrin Brache, Grace Hamel, and Lyrica Marsh, to whom she was known as “Bamma.” There is also a flock of nieces, nephews and cousins of several generations to whom she was and ever will be dear “Aunt Rudy.” Beyond her family, a devoted circle of special friends will also pause over a cup of tea to remember the warm place Rudy filled in their worlds. Diana Hinckley of Blue Hill is one of many loving friends in this group. The family is also grateful for the help provided and the affection shown by companions Shari Gray, Sharon Freethy and Lisa Bubel in Rudy’s difficult final year. A memorial service will be held in Blue Hill after the trees have leafed out and the flowers are up. Contributions in Ruth Saunders Slaven’s memory are invited to be made to the Blue Hill Public Library, P.O. Box 824, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home, 141 South St., Blue Hill.
RUTH SAUNDERS SLAVEN
