GLOUCESTER: Rebecca Ruth (Vatcher) Soucy, 94, formerly of Concord St., died Wednesday, November 21, 2007 in the Seacoast Nursing and Retirement Center following an extended illness. She was the wife of the late William Soucy.
Born in Gloucester on December 2, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Fannie (Webster) Vatcher. She was brought up in Saugus and lived in Chicago, New York City and Maine before returning to Gloucester in 1951. Gloucester was always her home.
Ruth worked as a head cook at summer camps in Maine along with her husband until his death. She also worked as a seamstress and stitcher in Beverly for several years before her retirement.
While still working she began volunteering at Wellspring. She later became a major fundraiser for various non-profit agencies on Cape Ann through her participation in the 5 mile Gloucester Pride Stride Walk. For fifteen years she was the oldest walker and was responsible for raising between $2,000. and $3,500. a year. For the next five years she allowed her name to be used for pledges. Ruth was proud to be able to attend this year’s 20th anniversary of Pride Stride.
She was also a volunteer at Day by Day SeniorCare, giving them over 20,0000 hours of her time and talents and was presented SeniorCare’s Older American’s Award in 2003. Her proudest moment was in 1996, when she was presented the prestigious Governor’s Dove Award at the State House Great Hall.
She is survived by a daughter, Sorrell Gorse, a granddaughter, Kimberly Russell both of Virginia, eighteen nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Ina Shepard and Fannie Whitten and eight brothers, Everett, Harold, Joseph, James, William, Robert, Ralph and Kenneth Vatcher.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday in the Seacoast Nursing & Retirement Center, 292 Washington St., Gloucester at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Day – by –Day Activities, SeniorCare, 4R Blackburn Circle, Gloucester or to the “Friends of Seacoast” at Seacoast Nursing & Retirement Center, 292 Washington St., Gloucester.