PRESQUE ISLE and BANGOR – Ruth Louise Lancaster Washburn, 86, died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, at Westgate Manor. She was born July 29, 1917, in Presque Isle, the daughter of Ethel and Jesse Lancaster of Washburn. Ruth graduated from Washburn High School and the Maine School of Commerce in Bangor. She was a lifelong member of the Presque Isle Congregational Church as was the secretary and treasurer of the Onaway Club. Ruth was a volunteer at the A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital for many years and was the treasurer of the Presque Isle Community Concert Association for 20 years. She was a Girl Scout leader and Chairperson of the Easter Seal Drive. She worked for Kent Sutter Potato Brokers and for James Tompkins O.D. Ruth shared 52 years with her beloved husband, Frank Washburn. Together, they enjoyed summers at their camp at Portage Lake with their family and friends. They were longtime members of the Presque Isle Country Club and later joined Portage Hill Country Club. Ruth and Frank were great hosts and led an active social life, where Ruth was the life of the party playing the piano. They enjoyed winter months skiing at Mount Farlange in New Brunswick. Many of her best afternoons were spent playing bridge with her friends. She loved to read, travel, play the piano, and spend time enjoying the great outdoors. Ruth moved to Bangor two and a half years ago to be closer to family. She lived at Ross Home for one year and then moved to Westgate Manor, where she received exceptional loving care from both facilities. Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, George Franklin Washburn Jr., and by a sister, Kathleen L. Morin. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Coffey-Paine and her husband, Thomas Paine, of Bangor; and a son, G. Franklin Washburn III and his wife, Pamela, of Rutland, Vt. She is also survived by four grandchildren, J. Bradford Coffey and family, Cara Coffey-Roope and family of Brewer, Leigh Washburn of Rutland, Vt., and Jared Washburn and family of Rutland, Vt.; six great-grandchildren; sister, Bette L. Miller of Georgia; and several nieces and nephews, Judy Burleigh and husband, David Steere of Presque Isle, Suzanne and David Meyer of Virginia, Dr. George and Carolyn Higgins of Presque Isle, Paul and Darlene Higgins of Presque Isle, Nancy and Ernest Hughes of Florida, Shelley and Ronald Hatcher of Florida, Kathy Williams of Georgia and Douglas Miller of Florida. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2004, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home in Presque Isle. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2004, at the Presque Isle Congregational Church with the Rev. Robert Grove-Markwood officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to share conversation and refreshments after the service in the vestry at the church. Interment will be in the spring in Presque Isle. Those who wish to remember Ruth in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Presque Isle Congregational Church, P.O. Box 1787, Presque Isle, ME 04769.
RUTH WASHBURN
