Ruth (Launie) Stevens died Wednesday September 8, 2010. She was the wife of the late Lloyd R. Stevens.
Mrs. Stevens was born in Medford in 1925 and had been a resident of Winchester since September 1951. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Regis College in 1946, and then worked for the General Electric Company as an engineering assistant. While there she carried out a study of computer-designed jet engine components for which she received a Manager’s Award in 1949.
Ruth left G.E. in 1951 when she married her late husband, who had been a physicist, engaged in aerospace engineering. Mr. Stevens’ interests were far ranging and he had a great desire to learn about life in foreign lands. Together the Stevens’s explored the cultures and customs of countries far and wide. They visited the capitals of South America and then traveled around the world twice, covering areas both north and south of the equator. Mr. Stevens died in 1996.
Soon after she left G.E., Mrs. Stevens became involved in community activities in Winchester, serving as a volunteer at Winchester Hospital for more than three decades, as a member of the Winchester Chapter Board of Directors of the American Red Cross and as a volunteer driver for the Red Cross Motor Service for 15 years.
She was a member of St. Mary Parish in Winchester and had been prefect of the women’s sodality, a member of the parish council, a lector and a Eucharistic minister.
Mrs. Stevens was one of the original members of Church Women United in Winchester, which was established in 1972, and remained active with the ecumenical group for decades, serving in various offices. She was particularly proud of the organization’s sponsorship of the Meditation Room at Winchester Hospital, which was dedicated and opened in January 1985.
Mrs. Stevens was also actively involved in the Regis College Alumnae Association, having served as treasurer of the Association, co-chairman of the Alumnae Fund and class officer. In 1996, the Alumnae Association presented her with the annual Alumnae Association Loyalty Award for distinguished service to the College.
She was the sister of Joseph J. Launie of Santa Barbara, CA and the late Teresa A. Kissel. Ruth was the dear aunt of Nancy R. Kissel, Judith Vander Mass, Kenneth and Peter Launie, Lauren (Stevens) Cullen, Clark and Ted Stevens and is further survived by several grand-nieces and nephews.
Her funeral will be held from the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Monday, Sept. 13 @ 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St. Winchester, MA 01890 at 10AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held in the funeral home on Sunday from 3-7PM. Interment will take place in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church at the address listed above.