Ruth I. Mowry, 91 of North Smithfield RI and formerly of Johnston RI and Arizona died Tuesday March 2, 2021 peacefully in her sleep at home. She was the long time companion of the late Edward Drew Sr and was the widow of the late Leon E Mowry, James Bulris and John Dodge.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Effie (Richards) Kapp.
Ruth Graduated from Mount Pleasant Highschool In 1946 in the upper part of her class. She held a variety of jobs during her working career including a sales clerk for a major clothing store, a bank clerk, and secretarial and bookkeeping positions at other various companies including The Yellow Cab Company of Providence and at her daughter Patricia’s business, Dawn Jewelry Company of Cumberland RI until retiring to care for her sick husband Leon until his passing in 1990.
Ruth was a member of the Smithfield Emblem Club for many years which has since been merged with The Elks Lodge. She served the club in various officer positions. When she was not busy doing that, she loved to help the non- profit organization by waitressing at functions or assisting selling tickets at fundraisers.
Ruth loved to spend her free time duckpin bowling. She bowled on many leagues over her lifetime at Hearthside Lanes in Greenville, Legion Lanes in Cranston, and Town Hall Lanes in Johnston. She was the first woman to break the “Men’s league” barrier and joined an all Men’s league on Tuesday nights at Hearthside Lanes. She also held the Woman’s High average and High 3 for quite a few years.
She was an avid singer belonging to the Happy Notes and The Greenville Goldenaires and brought hours of smiles and merriment to many audiences including nursing homes and elderly housing. You always knew she was around because she was always singing.
She also enjoyed playing Hi Lo Jack in competition with her comrades at the Smithfield Senior Center and previously the North Providence Senior Center before its closing. She was definitely a social butterfly and liked to make people laugh by telling a joke even if it was at her own expense. Everybody called her Ruthie.
Ruth is survived by her children Patricia (Dodge) Bairley of Brandon Mississippi, Glenn Bulris of Valdosta Georgia, Leona (Mowry) Notarpippo of RI, Susan (Mowry) Quigley of Glocester RI, and Pamela Mowry and her fiancé Steven Wood Sr of Smithfield RI. She was also the mother of the late John Dodge and Michael Dodge. She is survived by 7 Grandchildren, her 16 Great Grandchildren, and 17 Great Great Grandchildren
She is survived by her sister Ethel Roach and was the sister of the late Eddie and Michael Kapp, Loretta Poole, Helen Polacek, and Marion Rondeau.
Ruth always loved to make her presence know when she entered a room but wanted just the opposite on her exit out of this life. There were no services and she was cremated and placed to rest with her late husband John Dodge at Highland Memorial Park Cemetary In Johnston RI.
The family wants to thank the staff of Anderson Winfield Funeral Home for all their help in this trying time.