Ruth Stebbins Mudge (1921-2015)

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WALPOLE – Ruth Stebbins Mudge, 93, a long-time resident of Farmington, passed away on March 25,  2015, peacefully in her sleep. She had been living with her eldest daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Jim Wade in Walpole for the past several years.

Ruth Stebbins Mudge
Ruth Stebbins Mudge

Ruth was born on Nov. 20, 1921, to Hugh and Vera Stebbins in Wellsboro, Penn. She attended Wellsboro schools and went on to earn her bachelors degree in education at Mansfield (Penn.) State College, and earned her masters degree in dietetics at Penn State University.

She was married briefly to her first husband, Donald Basney, before he was killed on D-Day in the advance on Normandy Beach during World War II. Later, she married her husband of 54 years, Dr. John E. Mudge, whose position as a biology professor, took them to Farmington, where he taught at the university there for 30 years.

Ruth was a stay-at-home mom to their three daughters as they grew, while being active in numerous church activities as well as co-leading a troop of Girl Scouts for 12 years. With her girls grown, Ruth began to enjoy a career as a registered dietician, most of which was as dietary consultant at the Redington-Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan.

Ruth and John were long-time members of the Beans Corner Baptist Church and for many years Ruth enjoyed and often taught a Bible study with a group of very dear friends. Many of Ruth’s happiest moments were spent with family and friends at the family cottage on Porter Lake.

Ruth is survived by her three daughters: Barbara Wade and her husband Jim of Walpole, Bette Johannes and her husband Dan of Chantilly, Virginia, and Patricia Ruth Maynard and her husband Kurt of Skowhegan; her seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren: Kimberly Pauley, her husband Jason and their daughters Mikayla and Morgyn, Amanda Fortier, her husband Kevan and their daughters Autumn and Phoebe Ruth, all of Waldoboro; Gabe Johannes, his wife Emily and their daughter Etta, and Caleb Johannes, all of Valparaiso, Ind.; Holly Johannes Slater, her husband Joel, and sons Finn, True, and Brave, of South Riding, Virginia; E.J. Maynard and his wife Amy, of Baltimore, Maryland; and Ben Maynard and his wife Kim, of Windsor, Conn. Ruth also leaves behind many caring relatives and friends.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, John E. Mudge; her parents, Hugh and Vera Stebbins; and her two brothers, Edwin Stebbins and Robert Stebbins.

Ruth had requested a quiet graveside service with her family and friends in attendance, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, a date and time to be announced for later this spring. Remembrance gifts in memory of Ruth can be made to : Miles and St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice, 40 Belvedere Rd. Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Cremation and memorial services are being cared for and provided by Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd. Farmington, ME 04938. Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting www.wilesrc.com.

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6 Comments

  1. I have known Ruth for a long time. I attended Farmington State Teachers College in the early 60’s and had Dr. Mudge as a professor. On Sunday’s I would attend the Methodist Church with my Uncle and Aunt, John and Elsie Vining. There I met Ruth Mudge. What a wonderful person. I joined the Farmington Camp of the Gideon’s in 2000 and again got to know John and Ruth Mudge in a greater way. They were both very Godly and wanted others to know Jesus as their Savior. My prayers are with the whole family at this time.

  2. Patty and family, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Prayers and Condolences to you all and may God give you all strength and comfort in this time of need. God Bless.

  3. Dear Barbara, Bette, Pattie and families. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel through this difficult journey. I have many fond memories of your Mom and Dad. May you find comfort in knowing they touched many lives with their strong Christian faith during their journey through life. Lovingly, Marge Savage

  4. Our condolences to Ruth’s family she was a sweet lady and will be sincerely missed by us all.

  5. Sending warm thoughts and Prayers to Patty, the whole family and friends at this sad time.

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