Obituaries

Westborough Remembers Ruth Johnson

A private family funeral service will be held at a later date.

Ruth M. Johnson (nee Welsh), 95, of Westborough, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013 at the Martin Nursing and Restorative Care Center in Stuart, Fla.

She leaves her two daughters, Jane G. DeBoer and her husband George of Westborough and Sally A. Judge of Jensen Beach, Fla., and her son Robert Brian Johnson and his wife Laurie of Port Saint Lucie, Fla.; her six grandchildren, Arian Dineen, Gregg DeBoer, Alyssa Lund, Stephen DeBoer, Kristina Judge, and Morgan Russell; her nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a brother, Richard Welsh and a sister, Marjorie Reardon. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert G. Johnson of Westborough and brothers Raymond and Kenneth Welsh and sister, Arlene Manning.

Mrs. Johnson was born in Westborough, the daughter of the late Henry O. and Henrietta (Gerry) Welsh. She lived in Westborough almost her entire life, moving to Florida in 2007 shortly after the death of her husband Bob, to whom she was married for over 62 years. She attended the Westborough public schools, and graduated from Westborough High School in 1936.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and her descendants were the focal point of her life well into her 90’s.

During World War II, she did her part for the war effort by driving a dump truck for the Westborough Highway Department, due to the shortage of able-bodied men. She also worked as secretary to the Westborough Board of Selectmen. Later, she worked for the Westborough District Court, where she remained until her retirement. In later years, she was an active volunteer for the American Legion Stowell-Parker Post 163.

She was a formidable antique collector, having several articles written about her collection, including one by the Boston Globe. She was an avid reader and crossword puzzle solver, nearly until the end of her life. She also enjoyed a variety of crafts, including ceramics and oil painting.

A private family funeral service will be held at a later date, followed by burial next to her husband in the Veterans Grove Section of Pine Grove Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St.



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