Ruth was born on April 26, 1952 in Beverly, MA to the late Dominic and Catherine (Connolly) Citroni. She was educated at St. Mary's Catholic Grammar School and Danvers High School (Class of 1970). Ruth earned her Diploma in Nursing at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital School of Nursing in 1973. She later continued her nursing education at University of New Hampshire, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2001.
Ruth began her nursing career at Beverly (MA) Hospital and J.B. Thomas Hospital in Peabody, MA. After getting married and moving to Keene, she was employed by The Cheshire Medical Center from 1976 until her retirement in 2015 as RN Staff Nurse and Charge Nurse of ICU/CCU, Emergency Department, and Administrative Clinical Supervisor. During Ruth's time at The Cheshire Medical Center, she served on Nurse Practice Council, ED Education Group, was a preceptor for several new hires, mentored a senior student for Capstone Project, developed competency for Therapeutic Hypothermia, and served as its Coordinator for ENA LUNAR III Research Project. Ruth was also a member of American Nurses Association and Emergency Nurses Association for 20 years.
When reminiscing about the day she met Peter through a mutual friend, Ruth always said she knew that day she would marry him. They were married on August 16, 1975 at St. Mary of the Annunciation in Danvers, MA and they honeymooned in a little cabin on Cape Cod, MA. After the birth of her two children, Ruth was involved with multiple community and social activities. She served on the board for Rise For Baby and Family and New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI). She was also a member of the women's candlepin bowling league and St. Frances of Rome Women's Society.
During her leisure time, Ruth enjoyed traveling throughout the USA and Europe, primarily in Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Turkey and cruising the Caribbean Sea. She enjoyed lounging on beaches or poolside in Old Orchard Beach, ME, Myrtle Beach, SC, and Florida. You could always find her in a beach chair with a floppy sunhat on and a good book or magazine in her hands! At home, she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and any TV shows that had medical themes.
She is survived by Peter, her husband of 45 years, daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Josh of Old Orchard Beach, ME, and son, James Patrick (JP) of Keene. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Sheila Citroni of Bolton, CT, sister, Faith Yablonski of Brentwood, NH, sister-in-law, Mary Ann Citroni of Danvers, MA, uncle and aunt, Brian and Barbara Connolly of Shrewsbury, MA, and many nieces and nephews and cousins. Ruth was predeceased by her grandson, Peter James (PJ), brother, Neal Citroni, brother-in-law, Joseph Yablonski, and fur-grandson and beloved family dog, Yaz McGruff.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in loving memory of Ruth to Rise For Baby and Family 147 Washington St., Keene, NH 03431 www.riseforbabyandfamily.org
Calling Hours will be held on Monday, May 31, 2021 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 1:00 pm at St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene, NH. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene, NH. All those in attendance are required to wear facemasks and to maintain the physical distancing protocols.
