Ruth Robillard Mears, of 117 Pearl Street, Noank and 2491 Aqui Esta Drive, Punta Gorda, FL, died January 8th in Rome Italy.
Mrs. Mears was born in Troy, New York Jan. 6, 1943 the only child of the late Ernest and Roberta Robillard of Eagle Mills, NY, both of whom were ordained protestant ministers. Ruth's mother had the pleasure and honor of performing her daughter's wedding ceremony to Jerry on January 18, 1974, in Eagle Mills, NY; it was her last official church function.
As a three year old child Ruth was stricken by juvenile (type 1) diabetes. She successfully coped with this insidious disease for over 59 of her 62 years; an exceptionally long survival time for its victims. Over the course of those years many of her doctors marveled at her skill in managing all the health hazards that accompany juvenile diabetes.
Following her marriage to Jerry the couple resided in Groton where she became the manager of the then existing local cable TV system, Coastal Cable. In 1981 they had the opportunity for a total change in career; they purchased the now famous Abbott's Lobster in the Rough restaurant on Pearl St. in the village of Noank; now one of the best known restaurants of it's type in the entire country.
She loved to travel during the restaurants off season making many trips abroad accompanied by family members. It was during a Christmas/New Years holiday visit to Rome, Italy that one of the major hazards of long term diabetes victims flared up and overwhelmed her body's defenses.
She is survived by her husband, Gerald A. "Jerry" Mears; her daughter: Deirdre K. Mears and a granddaughter, Chelsea Mears of Noank; her children and grand children from husband Jerry's previous marriage; Richard Mears and his wife Louise and son Corey of Groton Lee Mears and his wife Meralee and daughter Andrea of Westbrook Deborah Foley and husband Richard, son David all of Carbondale., CO and Deborah's daughter Daniel Saunsen of Flagler Beach, FL.
Ruth was an intensely private person who shunned the lime light and in her will directed that no public funeral ceremonies be held. Family members will gather privately at their convenience.
There will be three celebration of a life gatherings of her many friends the first will take place at the Fisherman Restaurant from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday, January 26, 2005. The second will take place at Jupiter First Church, Jupiter, FLand a third will be conducted by Ruth's bible study group in Punta Gorda, FL.
The time and date for these gatherings is not yet determined and will be announced locally in the respective locales.
She was a long time supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Donations in her memory to that organization would be the most fitting tribute to her life her family said and may be mailed to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
120 Wall Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10005-4001. (Along with your donation, please enclose a note stating in whose memory/honor the donation is being made, and the name and address of the family member(s) to whom you would like us to send an acknowledgement).