Ruth Marilyn (Farrell) Smith, 94, of Derry, NH, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2019, in the Wentworth Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH. Ruth was born in Somerville, MA to Robert W. Farrell and M. Mildred (Johnson) Farrell on January 16, 1925. She graduated from Somerville High School in 1942. She followed a Commercial course, was a member of the Swimming Club, and her hobby was collecting miniature horse figurines. She also loved art and was very talented. Her class nickname was "Boots".
As a young girl, Ruth helped her grandfather in Somerville, fill bags of tea for his customers, and also helped him count money. In her youth, she enjoyed horseback riding at her uncle's farm in Salem, and She loved visiting the family farm (Highland View Farm) in Windham. But her favorite place was her mother's cottage on Cobbetts Pond, which is where she met Paul R. Smith, her future husband. Ruth said of Paul, that she had met her prince.
Ruth worked for the John Hancock company in Boston after graduation until she married Paul. She and Paul, a Captain in the military, were married after the war on June 3, 1945. Together they traveled to California and Texas before returning to New Hampshire. They settled in Windham for a short time, then made their home in Derry.
While in Windham, Ruth became a charter member of the Wind-ites in 1948 to 1951. She was on the Dramatic Committee and she was one of the hostesses for a program called "Build for Tomorrow", on April 30, 1951.
Ruth was a loving mother to three children, Debbie, Paul, Jr. and Dale. She was very supportive of their interests in music, dance, scouts, Demolay, and was active in church activities. Ruth volunteered to be a Den Mother for a group of Cub Scouts, was part of the mothers group in Demolay, supported her daughter in dance, and volunteered to help the youth groups in the church. Ruth also supported her husband in his military career organizing various events. It is a testament to her for the way she raised her children since they were all college graduates and have all been successful. Ruth is grandmother to Amy Ladieu Campbell and Sarah Ladieu Ratti, Andrea Smith Gagne and Christopher Smith. She is also great grandmother to Marley, Bode and Finnian Gagne.
In 1961, Ruth canvassed for the Alexander Eastman Hospital ( now Parkland) building fund to add a new wing. She also was an active participant in canvassing for a new building for her church, the Church of the Transfiguration, in Derry. Paul was very proud of her doing so much for the community and setting a great example for her children.
Ruth was a member of the Derry Historical Society in 1993. Ruth loved history and began actively researching her own genealogy. Her diligence led her back to the Mayflower. Because of her interest, it sparked an interest in her children to continue to follow the history of the family. For that we are grateful.
Ruth was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. We will miss her more than words can express. We all love you, mom. Sleep well.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Col. Paul Richard Smith in 2011, and her sister, Mildred E. Farrell in 2008.
A Calling hour was held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 from 3 – 4pm with a service that followed at 4:00pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. The burial will be in the spring at Cemetery on the Hill, Range Rd., Windham, NH. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity on one’s choice in lieu of flowers.