Ruth Beverly Cree

Born in New Bedford, MA and resided in Fairhaven for 63 years Ruth was the daughter of George and Evelyn (Oliver) Shaw. She began her employment as a telephone operator at 16 and continued until she retired in 1988 and was a proud member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Fairhaven for 50+ years and volunteered at their consignment shop ‘Heavenly Treasure’s’. In addition, she was a Girl Scout Leader for many years. She dearly loved her family and extended family. Ruth also loved her birds, particularly Hummingbirds, and had an array of carved birds. She was an avid Boston sports fan and loved the Bruins most of all and a wiz at Sudoko.

She is survived by her children, Susan (Kochanek) Murphy (the late Michael Murphy) of Fairhaven, Mark Kochanek & wife Paula (Williams) of Dartmouth, Linda Kochanek of Fairhaven, and Kristine (Kochanek) Watt & husband Robert of Fairhaven. She also had 11 grandchildren; Patrick Murphy, Timothy Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Matthew Kochanek, Rachel (Kochanek) Baxter, Tyler Kochanek, Erica (Wolszon) Smith, Travis Wolszon, Sarah (Watt) Arruda, Alex Watt, and James Watt. In addition she had 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Carol Shaw, of Palm Bay, FL. Ruth was predeceased by a daughter, Deborah Ruth Kochanek, a fraternal twin, George Shaw Jr. & his wife Claire, a sister, Sally (Shaw) Bower & her husband Robert and a brother, William Shaw.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 1:00 to 4:00PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven MA 02719. Burial is Private. To leave a note of condolence: www.waring-sullivan.com

In lieu of Flowers, donations in her memory can be made to: GBH.org