Ruth E. Miller Cahill, 86
Mrs. Ruth E. (Clement) Miller Cahill, 86, of Medway, passed away after a brief illness, Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at Timothy Daniel’s Rehabilitation/Nursing Home in Holliston, MA. She also summered in Onset, MA from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. She cherished her times there and loved sailing the canal and walking along the beach at Point Independence.
Mrs. Cahill is survived by her devoted husband of 35 years, Edward F. Cahill; her beloved daughter, Janet M. (Miller) Ruggiero, wife of John F. Ruggiero, of Bellingham; grandson, John J. Ruggiero, of Bellingham; stepdaughter; Patricia D. Cahill, of Mansfield, MA, and stepson; Edward Cahill, of Jacksonville, Fl. Mrs. Cahill is also survived by her step-granddaughter; Alexis Cahill and step-grandson; Sean Cahill. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whose relationships she cherished. She was particularly close to her nephew Scot Lamothe, and his spouse, Thomas Kowalski.
Born in Milford, daughter of George H. Clement and Elizabeth (Lindsay) Clement Morin, she moved to Medway in 1949. She is predeceased by her sisters; Rita L. Douglas of Medway, Janet M. Lamothe, formerly of Milford, and brother, George H. Clement of Onset, MA.
Ruth is also predeceased by her first husband of 25 years; Harry A. Miller, whom she loved deeply after meeting in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1944, in which she was also a proud member of, and served in, from 1943 – 1945. She was extremely proud to be a “SPAR”. While in the Coast Guard she also appeared in the production of “TARS & SPARS” with actor/comedian, Sid Caesar. Mrs. Cahill also was proud to have performed on the “Auto Lite” show with Conductor Les Brown and his Orchestra, featuring Helen Forest and Dick Haymes, also performing with actress/singer Lana Turner and was feted at the infamous Brown Derby restaurant for being chosen to perform on the show and for being named “SPAR of the YEAR”. She was also awarded the “American Campaign Medal” and the World War II “Victory Medal”. Mrs. Cahill also attended, in 1997, the dedication of the “Women in Military Service for America Memorial”, located in Arlington National Cemetery. This was the first monument in Military History dedicated to all women that served in the armed forces.
A voracious reader, she was interested in many different genres of literature. Though her true passion in life was her love for, and the safety and welfare of all animals; particularly cats. Mrs. Cahill was a contributor to the Humane Society of the United States and The Milford Humane Society, and was an advocate for the well being and protection of endangered wildlife. She was a contributor and member of many animal charities that benefitted various animal protection organizations.
A graveside committal service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Cottage Street, Medway, MA on Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 11am. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, The family of Mrs. Cahill would appreciate donations be made in her memory to The Milford Humane Society, P.O. Box 171, Medway, MA 02053, or The Humane Society of the United States; (H.S.U.S. Dept. MEMIT9, 2100 L Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037) or at (www.HSUS.org).