AUBURN – Ruth Virginia Jucius, 89, died Aug. 18, 2011, at Hospice House of Androscoggin. Ruth was born April 4, 1922, daughter of the Rev. Charles and Leticia Watkins.
She graduated from Schenck High School, East Millinocket, in spring 1939. In 1941 Ruth married Charles A. Jucius of Millinocket and they spent 67 years together before he passed away Sept. 8, 2008. Ruth and Charles owned and operated a laundry and dry cleaning business in Bar Harbor for 24 years and afterward continued working in the Auburn area. During their life together they were members of the American Legion. Ruth served as past department president of Maine Legion Auxiliary, past national vice president of Eastern Division and served more than 35 years as assistant director of Girls State. They were lifetime members of the Good Sam Club, a camping organization.
She and her husband served as founding members of Pine Tree Gypsies chapter. They wintered in Florida for more than 15 years after retirement where they stayed at Rainbow Village, Zephyrhills, Fla. Ruth and her husband enjoyed square dancing, family reunions, get-togethers, cards, bingo and occasional trips to the casino.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Charles Jucius Sr.; son, Edward Jucius; three sisters, Marjorie, Doris and Neva; and two brothers, Earl and Charles. She is survived by son, Robert and his wife, Shirley, of Hampden; son, Charles Jr. and his wife, Elaine, of Windsor; daughter, Penny Nutting and her husband, Paul, of Leeds; grandchildren, Kevin, Edward Jr., Allison, Kristina, Matthew, Tabitha, Jonathan and William; great-grandchildren Cienna, Shae, Neil, Sarah Jane, Ryan and Eliza. Ruth is also survived by her brother, David Watkins and his wife, Janice, of Turner; brother, James Watkins and his wife, Anne, of Orrington; sister-in-law, Doris Watkins of Auburn; many nieces and nephews. The family thanks the caregivers at St. Mary’s, Lewiston; Clover Manor, Auburn; and Hospice House of Androscoggin, Auburn, for their loving care and communication with the family. Ruth was known to her family, friends and Legion Auxiliary colleagues as a caregiver herself.
A memorial service for Ruth and Charles Jucius will be held 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at Leeds Community Church, Leeds, with a reception immediately after. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to the Ruth Jucius Scholarship Fund to help with the education of future caregivers. Please mail donations to her son, Charles A. Jucius Jr., 369 Barton Road, Windsor, ME 04363. Condolences may be expressed at ruthjucius@hotmail.com. Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives.