Ruth M. (Lecuyer) Barrett, 79, of Smith Mills, North Dartmouth, died February 8, 2006 at Hathaway Manor Extended Care Facility after a brief illness. The widow of Thomas P. Barrett, she was surrounded by her family at the time of her death.
Mrs. Barrett was a life long resident of Smith Mills, who was raised along the banks of the northern Paskamansett River, where her mother, Mae C. Lecuyer and grandmother had built three homes over the years. Two of these properties remain in the Barrett family today.
Throughout her life, Ruth combined fierce independence with a caring and thoughtful manner, with which she expressed her love of her family and God. These traits she passed on to her children and grandchildren, along with the wisdom about life and love which are the rewards of a full life.
Mrs. Barrett was graduated from Job S. Gidley Elementary School on North Dartmouth, as were all of her sons and two of her grandsons. She recently attended the school's Alumni Day. Touring the old building, she was thrilled to find so much that had remained the same after so many years. She was also a graduate of Dartmouth High School class of 1945.
Mrs. Barrett combined a full time career with the demands of motherhood. While raising three sons, she was a bookkeeper for The Cordage Company of New Bedford; then for Pearson Miller Volkswagen and later Stan & Paul's of North Dartmouth.
She was a charter member of St. Julie Billiart parish in North Dartmouth, where she had been a communicant since the church's founding. In addition to her church Ruth enjoyed most the time she spent with her family and friends and her favorite pet Sammi the cat. She was also known as an easy touch by the local birds and squirrels, which often came by for a handout.
Survivors include her sons Thomas P. Barrett of Fairhaven and Parkman, ME, Terrence M. Barrett and his partner John Meyers of San Francisco, CA and Michael A. Barrett, and his wife Stephanie C. Barrett, of Dartmouth; 5 grandchildren, Michael P. Barrett, and his wife Yadera Barrett, Patrick S. Barrett, Timothy M. Barrett, Emily A. Barrett and Thomas A. Barrett, all of Dartmouth; a great-granddaughter, Nadia Mariel Barrett of Dartmouth.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Saturday, February 11th at 8 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Julie Billiart Church at 9 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours Friday, February 10th from 4-7 PM.
Interment Friends Cemetery, Dartmouth.