Ruth Sylvia Moore

February 23, 1922—July 28, 2014

Ruth Sylvia (Nordos) Moore, 92, died Monday, July 28, at her residence in Concord, Massachusetts after several years of failing health. Born in Viborg, South Dakota, she was the daughter of the Rev. William R. and Serena M. Nordos, surviving spouse of the Rev. Alan H. Moore, and mother of four sons. She and her husband celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1995.

Ruth grew up in Buffalo, Brooklyn, Boston, and Fitchburg. After their marriage she and her husband lived in Oxford, Salem, Weston, Westfield, Danvers, and Wakefield where he served as pastor of Methodist-United Methodist Churches until his retirement in 1983. After his retirement they lived in Framingham until moving to Newbury Court in Concord in 1994, where she lived until her death.

In high school, she was an Honor Roll student and was active in the Debating Club, Journalism Club, and student council. Her ambition at the time was to be a librarian.

Proficient in foreign languages, linguistics, and grammar she earned her B.S in 1944 from Boston University where she was senior class president. Ruth was very musical and had a song for every occasion. She studied piano and enjoyed playing throughout her life. She was a Boston Symphony Orchestra subscriber.

A highly gregarious person, Ruth loved meeting and befriending new people in addition to keeping in touch with family and friends. She was an exceptionally prolific letter-writer. Her trademark smile and vivacious spirit remained with her until her final days, even through her battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was proud of her Norwegian heritage and loved to spice her conversation with an occasional Norwegian comment or song that she would sing to the very end.

She had a special talent for growing what she called “plants that thrived on neglect,” though she had great success with African Violets.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband in Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Greece, Hawaii, Alaska, and Bermuda.

Before marriage she worked as a telephone operator, medical secretary, and nanny. After marriage her primary work was raising four boys. Later she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health at a day care program for special needs persons. Though she loved this job, she gave it up in order to take care of her father who moved in with the family.

She was a member of Sudbury United Methodist Church since 1983 and was greatly beloved for her outgoing and welcoming manner. Since 1994, she has been a resident at Newbury Court, where she has been equally beloved for that same manner.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Alan; her older brother, Wilbur Nordos; her older sister, Marian Olsen; and her baby brother, James, who died soon after birth. She is survived by her four sons, the Rev. Robert A. Moore of Wells, ME; Russell S. Moore of Springfield, VT; Paul S. Foster-Moore of Florence, MA; and David B. Moore of Belmont, MA as well as seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and six beloved nieces.

Donations in celebration of her life may be made in support of the chaplaincy program at Newbury Court by check payable to Newbury Court earmarked The Spiritual Life Fund and sent to 100 Newbury Court, Concord, MA 01742.