DOVER-FOXCROFT – Ruth W. Flanders, 88, wife of the late of Ardell S. Flanders, died May 20, 2009, at a local nursing home. She was born July 5, 1920, in Foxcroft, the daughter of Phil E. and Helen (Dyer) Washburn. A 1938 graduate of Foxcroft Academy, Ruth also graduated from Maine School of Commerce and was a member of Epsilon Tau Epsilon sorority and the Dramatic Club. Before her marriage to Ardell Flanders, she worked as a bookkeeper for several years in Bangor and in Dover-Foxcroft at Maine Potato Growers. She also worked for 10 years as secretary to the superintendent of schools in Dover-Foxcroft. Ruth was devoted to her family and enjoyed genealogical research. She ran her own business, Country Lane Gift Shop, and volunteered as a Brownie Scout leader and as a Sunday school teacher at Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, where she was a member. She enjoyed helping her husband maintain the Enchanted Forest for many years. She is survived by two daughters, Kathy Flanders of Auburn, Ala., and Gale Flanders and husband, Michael White, of Cambridge, Mass.; nephew, Jeffrey Stanley and wife, Cindy, of Dover, Pa.; two great-nephews, Michael Stanley and wife, Melanie, of Taylors, S.C., and David Stanley and wife, Selena, of York, Pa.; great-great-niece, Alexis Stanley; and great-great-nephew, Kaine Stanley. Ruth was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ardell S. Flanders; sisters, Phylis W. Rogers, Lois E. Washburn and Margaret W. Clark; brothers-in-law, Harry Rogers and F. Davis Clark; and nephew, Philip A. Stanley. Ruth also leaves her beloved sister-in-law, Mary Flanders of Sangerville; nieces and nephews of the Flanders family, and many close and special friends that she made throughout her life. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ruth may be sent to American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305. Messages of condolence and memories may be sent to Kathy Flanders, 602 Meadowbrook Drive, Auburn, AL 36830 and Gale Flanders, 243 Western Ave., No. 3, Cambridge, MA 02139. Arrangements are in the care of Lary Funeral Home.
RUTH W. FLANDERS
