Ruth V. Spangler

Ruth was born in Sandwich, on July 16, 1923 the daughter of Celia H. (Luksanen) Johnson and Emil H. Johnson, wife of the late Dr. Gordon L. Spangler, sister of the late Robert Johnson and Eva (Johnson) Militello. Ruth graduated from the Henry T. Wing School in Sandwich in 1941 and attended the Cape Cod Secretarial School. As many Sandwich woman did during the war, Ruth worked at Camp Edwards as a stenographer, where she met her husband Gordon. As Gordon pursued his education at Tufts College, Ruth also worked at the alumni office at Tufts before her children, Wendy and Marshall, were born. After living in Washington D.C for a short time, followed by Medford, MA the Spangler’s later settled in Danvers for the next forty-four years. There Ruth raised her family and enjoyed such activities as line dancing, volunteer work , travelling to their favorite vacation spots in Bermuda and New Hampshire, as well, working at their church thrift shop, all while cheering for her beloved Red Sox. Ruth returned to Cape Cod in 2002 to be close to her children and to care for Gordon until his passing later in 2002. She was able to live the remaining of her life in her hometown of Sandwich, where she was able to share her stories about growing up in town including helping to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the HT Wing School in 2007.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Wendy L. Harte, son Marshall R. Spangler, his wife Karen all of Sandwich. Her legacy is also carried out by her grandson Dr. Christopher B. Harte, his wife Davi and great grandsons, Caden and Tyler of Mansfield, MA as well, granddaughter Abigail L. Spangler of Sandwich. She is also survived by cousins Barbara Gill of East Sandwich and John Pendergast Jr. of Centerville and several nieces and nephews.

The Spangler family and especially, caregiver Wendy, wish to thank the staff of Kindred Hospice for their compassionate care for Ruth in the last many months leading to her passing.

Calling hours for Ruth will be held at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home on Route 6A in Sandwich on Thursday March 2nd from 6-8 pm. A service will take place Friday March 3rd at 12:00 pm also at the funeral home with burial to follow at the National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Kindred Hospice 275 Martine Street, Suite 202 Fall River, MA 02723.