Ruth B. Williams

West Brookfield – Ruth B. (Bartlett) Williams, 97, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at her daughter’s home surrounded by her family.

She leaves a daughter, Elizabeth Weeks of West Brookfield; four grandchildren, Amy Gray, Sarah Weeks and her significant other Marshall Smith, Alyson Weeks and her husband Andrew Giza, Alexander Weeks and his fiancée Ashlee Richard; a step-son, Robert Williams and his wife Kathy of San Diego, CA; a daughter-in-law, Deborah Williams of Leesburg, VA; great-grandchildren, Josh, Madi, Riley, Mikey and Livi, and several other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her parents, Warren T. and Elida (Thompson) Bartlett; a brother, Hiram P. Bartlett II; two step-sons, Frederick Williams and Thomas Williams and a cousin, Donald Roberts.

Ruth was born and raised in North Brookfield, an origin she was very proud of throughout her life. After graduating from North Brookfield High School, she attended the School of Nursing at Massachusetts General Hospital, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1942.  She worked as an RN at MGH and UMASS Memorial for more than 40 years before retiring to be a full-time Nana in 1984. Throughout most of her adult life she lived in West Brookfield but also spent time in Boston and New Braintree with her closest friend, Alice Webb and Alice’s daughters, Edie Ramaska and Judy Webb.  Ruth was a lifetime member of the North Brookfield Congregational Church.

Ruth enjoyed baking, reading, studying her family’s genealogy and taking trips to Maine, where she had a strong family history. She loved family get togethers and countless hours were spent in her dining room with great food and great company.  Her homemade macaroni and cheese and apple pie were legendary.  She was a devoted and loving Mom and a “Nana” to anyone who needed her love, including most of her grandchildren’s friends, countless family pets and neighborhood animals. Towards the end of her life, Ruth’s care was assisted by several angels-on-Earth.   For anyone who thought of Nana as their own, the family will be forever grateful for your love and support.  She was a beautiful soul whose primary concern in life was the comfort and happiness of others.  She will be so missed by all that knew her.

A Funeral Service for Ruth will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., West Brookfield.  A Calling hour will be held prior to the service from 10 to 11 AM in the funeral home.  Burial will be in the spring at Walnut Grove Cemetery in North Brookfield.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Brookfield Rescue Squad, Inc., P.O. Box 540, West Brookfield, MA 01585 or to the Friends of the North Brookfield Town House, P.O. Box 179, North Brookfield, MA 01535.

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