| Ruth Colmer |
| 9/11/2015 |
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Ruth A. (McLaughlin) Colmer, 89, entered into eternal life on September 11, 2015, while at home in Canton with her devoted husband of 63 years, Kenneth O. Colmer. Ruth’s sudden passing marked the loss of a kind and compassionate presence in the lives of those who loved her. She would have marked her 90th birthday milestone on October 2nd.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth, and their children: daughter, Kathleen Berteletti and her husband Paul of Boulder, Colorado; son, Dr. Kenneth and his wife, Lori of Yarmouth Port; daughter, Lisa Boyd of Stoughton; and son, Timothy of Canton. Her son, Steven predeceased her in 2011. Ruth was a loving grandmother to Julie McDonald and her husband, Chris; Daniel Berteletti; Tara Delmonaco and her husband Justin; Naval Lt. Devon Colmer and his siblings, Keagan and Sam Colmer. Ruth was the proud great-grandmother of Charlie McDonald. She also leaves behind her brother, Joseph McLaughlin, and his wife Mary of Hanover, and many nieces and nephews that were dear to her. Ruth was born in Boston and raised in Dorchester with deep family roots to the area. She was the granddaughter of Thomas Francis Myles who died on the Titanic in April 1912. She lived her life with dignity and grace that belied a fighting spirit to retain good health following two bouts with breast cancer in 1964 and 1988. Often Ruth participated in The Walk for Hunger and other community-based philanthropic activities. Every year Ruth absolutely loved sitting on the bleachers at the finish line of the Boston Marathon with her lifelong friend, Rosalie, watching the runners finish the race. For Ruth, Mass at St. Gerard’s in Canton, a community in which Ruth had lived since her marriage to Ken in 1952, was a daily ritual. She walked outside at every opportunity and also kept herself physically fit by swimming and by attending her water aerobics class. Ruth was a great believer in giving back to one’s community; Ruth carved a pathway toward a distinguished career as an educator upon graduation from Boston State Teacher’s College. For over thirty years, Ruth was a cherished 2nd grade teacher at the Ponkapoag School, Dean S. Luce School, and the John F. Kennedy School. The effect upon the lives of generations of students will live on because of her talented and compassionate imprint upon their lives. The Colmer home in Canton was a central gathering place for family and friends and the site of numerous, multi-generational gatherings over many years. Because of her love of baking, never did a guest or family member leave Ruth’s home empty-handed. Ruth loved to correspond through the mail with letters, cards, newspaper clippings and especially her thoughtful thank you notes. Visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington St., CANTON, Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm. Funeral mass at St. Gerard Majella Church, Canton, Wednesday morning at 10. Burial St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Weymouth. Donations may be made in her memory to "Our Neighbor's in Need" c/o St. Gerard Majella Church, 1860 Washington St., Canton, MA 02021. | |||||
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