GLOUCESTER: Frances A. (Thurston) Ruggles, 85, died unexpectedly Wednesday, February 27, 2008 in the Addison Gilbert Hospital. She was the wife of the late Benjamin C. Ruggles who died in December1981.
Born in Gloucester on November 30, 1922 she was the daughter of the late Bradley and Doris (Ethridge) Thurston. She was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and a graduate of Gloucester High School.
Frances was an avid amateur artist. She was a member of the Rockport Art Association, the North Shore Arts Association, Newburyport Art Association and the Copley Society of Boston. She had exhibited in the Jordan Marsh Exhibitions, Springfield Academic Artist and The Sawyer Free Library as well as other art shows in New England. She studied with George Dinckle, Don Stone, Wayne Morrell, Marguerite S. Pearson and Isabel M. LaFreniere. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed nature and animals.
She is survived by a son, Rod C. MacNeil, Jr. and his wife, Karen of Gloucester, two granddaughters, Tory A. MacNeil of Gloucester and Lisa M. and her husband, Gregory Sweatt of Seabrook, NH, two great-grandsons, Matthew Gregory Sweatt and newborn, Ryan Thomas Sweatt both of Seabrook, her former spouse, Roderick C. MacNeil, two brothers, George Thurston and Bradley Thurston, a sister, Nancy Amazeen, all of Gloucester and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by a daughter, Susan A. MacNeil.
Her funeral services will be held on Friday in the Beechbrook Cemetery, W. Gloucester at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the “Resident Activity Fund” c/o Seacoast Nursing & Retirement Center, 292 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930.