HOPE – Ruth V. Desrosiers, 69, of Hope, died unexpectedly, Jan. 6, 2004, at her home. Born in Somerset, Mass., Sept. 4, 1934, she was the daughter of Charles V. and Dorothea (Rogers) Leonard. She was a 1952 graduate of Somerset High School. She was married to Robert L. Desrosiers who predeceased her in 1980. Mrs. Desrosiers had been a resident of Hope since 1965. She became interested in community service when her husband served as first selectman of Hope, conducting town business from their home. During that time and for many years to come, Ruth served as registrar of voters for the Town of Hope. Later, Ruth served as the first female selectperson for the Town of Hope. Her employment at local law firms beginning in 1981, included positions at Clifford F. O’Rourke, Esq., Calderwood Ingraham & Gibbons, and Harmon, Jones & Sanford. For several years while living in Florida, Ruth worked for the law offices of the Seminole Tribes of Florida. For nine years, Ruth worked at the Rockport Town Office as assistant town clerk and general assistance director until 2002. At the time of her death, she was employed as the bookkeeper for the Hope Town Office. She was a member of the Maine Tax Collectors & Treasurer’s Association; and the National Wildlife Federation. Her hobbies included reading, genealogy, basketball, collecting stamps, jigsaw puzzles, and crosswords. Ruth loved animals and had great passion for playing Bingo. Ruth was known for her dedicated service to the Towns of Hope and Rockport. She most enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren to whom she was extremely devoted. Surviving are three daughters, Michele A. Wyman and her husband, Paul, of Union; Paula J. Marshall and her husband, Warren, of Camden; and Grace V. Josselyn and her husband, Bob, of Hope; six grandchildren, Amy G. Clark and her husband, Michael, Benjamin R. Marshall, all of Camden, Charles A. Wyman, Brandy A. Wyman, both of Union, Jason R. Josselyn and Christopher R. Josselyn, both of Hope. She will be greatly missed by her beloved pets, Muffin and Bingo. Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at the Robert E. Laite Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at the Hope Community Bible Church with the Rev. Mark Stockwell and Nate Pease co-officiating. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Hope Historical Society, care of Faith Hart, 374 Camden Road, Hope, ME 04847, or the American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330.
RUTH V. DESROSIERS
