CHINA – Ruth M. Sharrow, 78, of China, Maine, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2013, from the complications due to a stroke and Parkinson’s Disease. She was surrounded by her family, friends, and the compassionate Oak Grove Center and Health Reach Hospice nurses and staffs in Waterville, Maine.
Ruth Lunette Morse was born June 3, 1934 in North Wolcott, Vermont. She was the youngest child of Clyle H. and Marion Whipple Morse of Williamstown, Vermont. She graduated in 1952 from Williamstown High School. On March 18, 1953, Ruth married Darwin C. Sharrow. They recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of their wedding.
Ruth led a life of happy service to others. When Darwin entered the service during the Korean War, she followed him to Virginia. Eventually they moved back to Vermont where all of their children were born and they opened a campground. Then the Sharrow family spent a year in Bernardston, Massachusetts before finally settling in China, Maine in the summer of 1968.
Ruth enjoyed being around children. She spent many years as a worker, supervisor and substitute cook in the hot lunch programs in China and Vassalboro School systems. For several summers, she also prepared breakfast and baked for a lakeside resort. However, when she got her real estate license, she branched out into the greater community. In addition to a real estate office and property management services, she and Darwin opened several businesses including a laundry mat and storage units on Route 3. During their “retirement years”, she and Darwin volunteered for two summers at Devil’s Tower National Monument, another at Lassen Volcanic Park and some summers at Jamaica Plains State Park in Vermont.
In addition to cooking, Ruth’s hobbies included sewing, painting, quilting, collecting Delf ornaments and picking through yard sales with Darwin. In her younger years, she loved swimming, water skiing, skating, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, hiking and camping. In her later years, she walked regularly with other women at China Lake Conference Center.
In 1979-1980, Darwin and Ruth opened their home to Hideki Makino, a foreign exchange student from Japan, and on occasion to other youth who needed a temporary place to stay.
She was generous and kind to all who crossed her path.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Darwin Sharrow, her children Barbara Levesque of East Orland, Maine, Sandy Warren of Freeport, Maine, and Edwin Sharrow of Hermosa Beach, California, her sons-in-law Dennis Levesque and Richard Warren, grandsons Ian and Ross Levesque, Cory and Kyle Warren, grand daughter-in-law Courtney, great granddaughter, Abigail, and poodle, Buffy.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 3, 2013 from 5-8 pm at the China Baptist Church in China, ME. A graveside service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family in Brookfield, VT.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing, may make donations in Ruth’s memory to the American Legion Auxillary Post #195, PO Box, China Village, Maine 04926.
Arrangements under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.
