RUTH E. TABENKEN

TOPSHAM – Ruth E. Tabenken, former resident of Bangor and Ashland, Mass., died July 5, 2010, at Mid-Coast Hospital, Brunswick. She was born April 13, 1928, in Framingham, Mass., daughter of Jonathan and Natalie (Schwartz) Goldberg. Mrs. Tabenken graduated from Ashland High School in 1946 and attended Mount Ida Junior College, graduating in 1948. She went on to work for Jordan Marsh Co., Framingham, Mass. In 1953, she agreed to a blind date on Oct. 31 with Gerald Tabenken of Bangor. This was also Mr. Tabenken’s birthday, although at first it seems implausible, as it was Halloween! In 1954, they were married and Gerald was a source of inspiration and support for her throughout her life. Mrs. Tabenken’s interests were many and wide-ranging. She was an ardent supporter of the arts in Maine and was appointed by Gov. Kenneth Curtis to the Maine commission for the arts and humanities; she also served as past president of Bangor Symphony Women, leading fundraising and outreach efforts for the orchestra. Mrs. Tabenken was a member of the board of directors of Farnsworth Art Museum, and was an active supporter and fundraiser for Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Mrs. Tabenken was well known and respected throughout Bangor and deeply involved in the community. She was appointed by Gov. Joseph Brennan to the board of visitors, Bangor Mental Health Institute, serving for many years winning praise for her efforts to advocate for those affected by mental illness. She was a lifelong member of Hadassah and served as Temple Beth-El, Bangor, Hadassah president. Mrs. Tabenken was a devoted supporter of Bangor Junior League and served as past president. In 1980, she was appointed as a director of Brewer Savings Bank, later Maine Savings Bank, serving as the first woman director of the bank and one of the first woman bank directors in the state. Mrs. Tabenken had an incredible flair for entertaining and while living in Bangor, hosted large parties throughout the years fundraising for many causes both charitable and political, including Susan M. Curtis Foundation and political fundraising for candidates such as President Jimmy Carter, Sen. Edmund Muskie and Sen. George Mitchell. Mrs. Tabenken had a great ability to reach across the generations and make all people associated with her feel at ease and welcome. She drew out the best in people. She was extremely knowledgeable on all subjects from world events to the latest bestseller and freely shared her expertise and experiences. She was extremely loved by her family and will be missed so much. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald, in 2006. She is survived by two sons, Matthew Tabenken and his wife, Joyce, and their daughter, Lily Ann, of Falmouth and New Harbor, and Capt. Lee Tabenken, U.S. Navy Reserves, and his wife, Lisa, captain, U.S. Navy Reserves, and their two children, Emma Rose and Aaron Richard, of Falmouth. Mrs. Tabenken’s grandchildren were a source of great joy and much happiness to her. The family thanks the dedicated staff and physicians who were responsible for the compassionate care she received while at Mid-Coast Hospital. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 8, at The Jewish Funeral Home, 471 Deering Ave., Portland. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to honor the memory of Ruth Tabenken may send donations to Congregation Bet Ha’am, 81 Westbrook St., South Portland, ME 04106.