MILBRIDGE – Ruth “Tommie” T. Stanley, 90, wife of the late John L. Stanley, died Dec. 21, 2008, at her home, after a long battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 24, 1918, in Thompsonville, Conn., daughter of the late Edwin and Nellie Thompson. She was the youngest of eight siblings. After graduating from high school, Ruth furthered her education and graduated from Teachers College of Connecticut with a degree in elementary education. Teachers College of Connecticut is now named Central State University. On Dec. 28, 1948, Ruth married John, in Rocky Hill, Conn. In 1976, she and John retired, she as a teacher and John as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They moved into their new home at Ficketts Point, Milbridge, in 1976, after living many years in Falls Church, Va. In Milbridge, Ruth was known as “Tommie” because her close friend, Ruth B. Stanley, who was a college roommate, also lived in Milbridge. The two were often confused. Tommie lived a very busy life. She was active in Milbridge Congregational Church, Milbridge Historical Society, Current Events Club and Woman’s Club. She is survived by two nephews, Richard E. Sawyer and Peter S. Sawyer, both of Milbridge; a sister-in-law, Madeline Sawyer of Milbridge; a niece, Jan LaMontagne and her husband, Dr. Art Lamontagne, of Manchester, Conn.; brother-in-law, Frank Stanley and his wife, Marcella, of Springfield, Mass.; sister-in-law, Audrey Stanley of Ludlow, Mass.; several great-nephews and great-nieces. The family gives special thanks to Ruth’s caregivers who were with her for four years, Joan Bailey, Kathie Pounder, Martha Johnson, Kellie Sawyer, Bev Beal, Eva Haycock and Lisa White. They also thank Bruce Tenan for taking care of all the outside maintenance. A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced in the spring at Milbridge Congregational Church. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Tommie’s memory to Petit Manan Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 188, Milbridge, ME 04658 or Milbridge Congregational Church, P.O. Box 67, Milbridge, ME 04658. Arrangements are under the care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Milbridge. www.bragdonkelley.com
RUTH (THOMPSON) STANLEY
