Ruth Wells, 88, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2013 at The British Home in Sierra Madre, Calif. She was born June 9, 1924 in Londonderry, N.H., the youngest of three children of the late Prescott and Dorothy (Boyden) Torrey. She graduated from Pinkerton Academy in Derry, N.H., and later married her high school sweetheart, Donald C. Wells, becoming a Navy wife. After WW II, they settled down in Londonderry, where she was a member of the local chapter of The Grange and the Londonderry Presbyterian Church. After raising her three children, she and Don moved to Meredith, N.H., on the grounds of the Waukewan Golf Club, where she became an avid golfer. For many years she divided her time between homes in Meredith and Crystal River, Fla. Her husband of 54 years died in 1997.
In later years, facing health challenges, she lived with her son and daughter-in-law in La Crescenta, Calif., later moving to The British Home in nearby Sierra Madre. There she enjoyed friends, outings and trips with family, the care of a loving staff and a busy schedule of excursions and activities. She was growing and challenging herself and enjoying life until the day she passed peacefully in her sleep.
She is survived by her sister, Barbara Stone, of West Kennebunk, Maine; her son Donald P. Wells and daughter-in-law Susan, of La Crescenta; her son Barry Wells and daughter-in-law Chris, of Thornton, N.H.; her daughter, Bonnie Wells, of Northampton, Mass.; her granddaughter Jennifer Wells, her husband, Eric Finkelman, and great-grandson, Hudson of Redondo Beach, Calif.; her granddaughter Tracy Dorris, husband Carey and great-grandchildren Madison and Jack of Buford, Ga.
A calling hour was held on Thursday, May 23rd from 12 – 1pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. Funeral services followed at 1:00pm in the funeral home. The burial followed in the Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry.