BANGOR – Ruey Whittier Stevens Baldwin died April 25, 2010, surrounded by her family at her home. She was born Sept. 19, 1928, to Perley and Cora Stevens. Ruey grew up in Flagstaff until its flooding in 1950. She graduated from Flagstaff High School in the top third of her class of three. From there she attended Farmington State for two years, but was able to return to her high school alma mater during the last year of its existence to teach grades five through eight. Ruey cherished that year with her family, friends and students. Once the town was gone, she finished her bachelor’s degree at the University of Maine, Orono, going on to teach in Mapleton, where she met her husband and closest companion of 57 years, John D. Baldwin. Together they spent many years in New Hampshire raising a family, teaching and earning her master’s degree from Plymouth State. In 1972 they returned to Maine, where she ended her teaching career at Mattanawcook Junior High. In 1978 Ruey and John bought 40 acres on Flagstaff Lake. A cabin was built and many summers spent back on what used to be her father’s farm. Ruey’s commitment to the memories and history of Flagstaff and the support of Flagstaff Memorial Chapel are enduring. She reached out to former residents of Flagstaff, Dead River and Bigelow Plantation, and sought their stories of life in the Dead River Valley. Ruey spent countless hours collecting and editing those stories which were turned into the book “There Was A Land,” a phenomenal story of communities and people in the early to mid-20th Century. Ruey made lifelong friends everywhere she lived. She was thoughtful, kind, intelligent, interested in others and interesting to be around. She will be missed. Ruey is survived by her loving husband, John; her son, Myron and his children, Matthew and Elizabeth, and great-granddaughter, Mekayla; her daughter, Ruey and husband, Ken and their children, Jason and Jeremy; a special niece, Julie Allen of Shawnee, Kan.; a special cousin, Marilyn Rogers; dear friends, Betty and Duluth Wing and Eleanor Currier; and many friends too numerous to mention. Family and friends may visit 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a short service will be conducted 6 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Mark Doty, of Hammond Street Congregational Church U.C.C., officiating. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. May 22 at Flagstaff Memorial Chapel, Eustis, with Pastor Rick Lambert officiating. Interment will be immediately after at Flagstaff Memorial Cemetery. Friends and relatives are welcome to both services. Contributions in Ruey’s honor may be made to Flagstaff Memorial Chapel Association, care of Nancy McLean, 703 New Portland Road, Embden, ME 04958 or Oncology Support Foundation, care of Betty Bowers, P.O. Box 167, Carmel, ME 04419. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
RUEY S. BALDWIN
