WORCESTER-Ruth J. (Owens) Lohman Van Sickle, 94 formerly of Palmetto, FL and Waterville, ME passed away Wednesday, October 28 at Notre Dame Long Term Care.
Her first husband, Thomas H. Lohman passed away in 1985. Her second husband, Cyril “Bud” Van Sickle died in 2011. She leaves four children, Diane and her husband, John Mirick of Princeton, Mark and his wife, Barbara Lohman of Winslow, ME, Steven and his wife, Joanne of Jackson, WY and Fred Lohman of Chapel Hill, NC; six grandchildren, Christopher and his wife, Catherine, Seth and his wife, Rebecca, Justin, Maryssa and her husband, Jonathan, Drew and Maylia; five great-grandchildren, Susanna, Benjamin, Daniel, Abigail and Jacob and nieces and nephews. Three siblings, Dorothy Knobler, Edith Collins and John Owens predeceased her. She was born in Norristown, PA daughter of John and Frances (Reed) Owens and graduated from Kutztown State Teachers College.
Ruth was a public school teacher early in her career, and was for many years in charge of operating the Colby College Nursery School in Waterville, ME. In Waterville, she belonged to the First Congregational Church, volunteered with the Girl and Boy Scouts, and was a member of the Central Maine Garden Club. She loved gardening and being outdoors. She especially loved being out on the water, and shared her enthusiasm for sailing, swimming, and diving with both her children and grandchildren. Music and dancing were also an important part of her life, and she could be found out on the dance floor, doing the Jitterbug, late into her retirement. She led a full life that took her from New England to Florida, and back again. She brought love and kindness to all the hearts she touched along the way. Ruth will be remembered as a kind and gentle woman, devoted mother, and loving grandmother. She will be missed dearly.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, November 3 at 11:00AM in the First Unitarian Church, 90 Main Street. A private family burial will be in Maine Veterans Cemetery, Augusta, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Activity Fund at Notre Dame Long Term Care, 559 Plantation St., Worcester, 01605. Arrangements in the care of Callahan~Fay~Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St.