Ruth M. (Wood) Smith

Ruth M. (Wood) Smith, 89, formerly of Russell, passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at Armbrook Village. She was born in Putney, VT to the late George and Ethel (French) Wood and was a 1950 graduate of Westfield High School. She was also a graduate of Charles Gaugh School of Business Class of 1951. She was employed by Gateway Regional School District for 17 years as a secretary and retired in 1990. Ruth was also employed by Westfield River Paper Company in Russell, the U.S. Envelope Company in Springfield, the US Census Bureau, and the Town of Russell Board of Selectmen’s Secretary. Ruth was a Girl Scout leader, a Library Trustee for the Town of Russell, a Sunday School teacher and Missions Committee member for Russell Community Church. Ruth was a kindhearted person with a lovely smile and quick sense of humor. She was level-headed in a crisis and proposed creative solutions. She was a generous and loving caretaker of anyone in her family who was ill, and took care of her parents for years when they aged and needed her. She loved animals and enjoyed watching them outside her kitchen window. She also immensely enjoyed her daughter Dawn’s dogs and her son Earl’s cats. She will be missed by all that knew her. Sadly, Ruth was predeceased by her beloved husband Edward J. Smith and her brother Robert Wood of Agawam. She is survived by her loving children, Dawn C. Smith of Easthampton, Diane C. Smith of Easthampton, Deirdre A. Gintowt and her husband Dennis of Southampton, and Earl L. Smith of Boston. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins. A private service will be held for her family and burial will be held in the spring in Russell Cemetery, Russell. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the staff at Armbrook Village for the kind, compassionate care Ruth received there as a resident. Donations in memory of Ruth may be made to Russell Community Church, PO Box 135. Russell, MA 01071 or Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101. www.firtionadams.com.

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