Ruth L. Henning, age 100, of Salem, NH, died Saturday at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA. She was born in Methuen, MA and grew up in Lawrence graduating from Lawrence High School and Cannon’s Commercial College. She was a long time resident of Salem, NH.
Ruth worked at Federal Milk in Lawrence for many years and retired as an executive secretary from Avco in Wilmington, MA. Ruth played the organ at Central Methodist Church in Lawrence for 15 years. She was also the organist for the Christian Endeavor Radio Choir in Lawrence. She started playing the organ for First Congregational Church in the 1960’s later becoming the choir director, a position she held until 2004. She was very active in the church, also serving as church council secretary, church treasurer, member and auditor of the Philathea Class. For 18 years, from 1986 to 2004, she played the organ for every service, never missing a single week.
Her passions were her faith, music and her family. She was awarded the Boston Post Cane for being the oldest resident in Salem on November 20, 2013.
Ruth was predeceased by her brothers and sister, William and Carl Henning, and Martha Foley, her nephew Bruce Henning and her loving companion, Robert Chism.
She is survived by her nieces, Priscilla Cravino, Wendy Lisbon, Nancy Callahan, Sandee Hebsch, and Carol Tordoff; seven great nieces and nephews and nine great great nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Aug. 14th from 3-7 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. Funeral services will be celebrated Friday, Aug. 15th at 11:00 AM at the First Congregational Church, 15 Lawrence Rd, Salem, NH.
Memorial contributions in Ruth’s name may be made to the memorial stained glass window fund at First Congregational Church, 15 Lawrence Rd., Salem, NH 03079.