Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

WESTERBEKE, Ruth Amanda (Thomas), passed away in her home in Squantum, MA. On August 9, 2012. She was born on February 13, 1919, in North Quincy, MA. The youngest child of Herbert Warren and Jesse Blanch (Smith) Thomas.
Ruth graduated from North Quincy High School in 1936 and studied bookkeeping at a business school in Boston. She married John Henry Westerbeke on July 17, 1938, a marriage that lasted 62 years. Her husband John preceded her in death in 2000. She was also preceded by her brothers Herbert, Warren and William Thomas.
Ruth is survived by her children John H. Jr and his wife Recilla of Milton, MA, William E. Westerbeke of Lawrence, KS. And Susan Nesbitt of Niles, IL. She is also survived by six grandchildren, John B. Westerbeke and his wife Cindy of Higganum, CT., Robert E. Westerbeke and his wife Oksana of Taunton, MA, Douglas K. Westerbeke and his wife Yu Yuan of Shaker Heights, OH., Scott A. Westerbeke and his wife Bethany of Maynard, MA., Marlo Cohen and her husband Michael of Lawrence, KS. and Sean Nesbitt of Chicago, IL. Ruth is also survived by twelve great- grandchildren.
Ruth was a homemaker and worked part-time as a bookkeeper for the Westerbeke Corp. Ruth was also active in her community. She was a charter member and past President of the Seaside Garden Club of Squantum, which fought successfully to preserve ocean marsh lands from development. An active member of the First Church of Squantum, a member of the Squantum Women’s Club, a member of the Puritan Bridge Club in Braintree, MA. She is remembered as a warm-hearted, compassionate and generous, with a delightful sense of humor.
A private graveside service will be held, followed by a Memorial Service at the First Church of Squantum (164 Bellevue Road Squantum) on Saturday August 25th at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Ruth’s memory to the Misericordia Home 6300 N. Ridge Ave. Chicago, Il. 60660, a home for children with developmental disabilities or to a charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit www.dewarefuneralhome. com
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