Ruth Sylvia (Hartley) Kirby, 88, a lifetime resident of Rochester passed peacefully in her home April 15, 2003. Beloved mother and grandmother, she was the widow of George A. Kirby, II.
Born in Rochester, "Kell" was the daughter of the late Daniel E. and Mary (Lawrence) Hartley. A 1931 graduate of Wareham High School, and Kenyon Business School, she was a bookkeeper for Hartley Saw Mill, a clerk at Sherman's Store in Rochester, a bookkeeper at Hartley's Garage and she worked side by side with her husband at Kirby Paint Company in New Bedford until retirement.
A devoted member First Congregational Church, Kell was the superintendent of Sunday School. She was also Rochester Grange Chaplain.
A successful business woman, she valued her family above all else. Her door was always open and cookie jar always full.
Survivors include her children, Meryden Kirby, Ruth-Ann Kirby Flynn and George A. Kirby, III; her sister, Louise (Hartley) Watling; 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, countless relatives and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service in the First Congregational Church of Rochester, Saturday, April 19th at 11 AM. Interment Sherman Cemetery, Rochester.
Visiting hours are omitted.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Rochester Volunteer Fire Dept., 1 Constitution Way, Rochester, MA 02770 or the Rochester Land Trust, P.O. Box 337, Rochester, MA 02770 or the First Congregational Church of Rochester, P.O. Box 98, Rochester, MA 02770.