Ruth B. Dickinson

Norridgewock - Ruth B. Dickinson, 99, of Norridgewock died on May 26, 2010 at Maplecrest Rehabilitation and Living Center in Madison, Maine.

Ruth was born in New Sharon, Maine on September 27, 1910, the daughter of George Everett and Ella Gertrude Rand Brown. She graduated from New Sharon High School and attended Farmington Normal School and the Art Institute of Portland. Between 1927 and 1937, she taught in one room schoolhouses in New Sharon, Chesterville, Norridgewock and Mercer.

On September 6, 1936 she was married to George Dickinson in Industry, Maine. For the next 30 years she devoted her time to the care of her growing family and to supporting George's expanding dairy farm. She used her skills in art and early childhood education to give her children a head start in life.

In 1966 Ruth resumed her teaching career at Norridgewock Central Grade School, retiring in 1975. She also returned to Farmington State Teachers College to finish her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, which she received in 1973. In 1978 she began taking art classes in the continuing education program in Skowhegan, where she refined her skills in portrait painting.

She was a life member and past Worthy Matron of Cedar Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and a life member of the Congregational Church in Norridgewock. She was also an active member of the Somerset County Retired Teachers Association.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband in 1995, her brother Arthur Brown and sister Shirley Withee Kilbourn. She is survived by her sister Irene Fairfield of Hallowell, Maine, and her seven children Richard Dickinson and his wife Maxine of Smithfield, Trudy Tremblay and her husband Wendall of Orono, Colleen Dillon and her husband William of Arlington, Texas, Helen Dickinson of Elmwood Park, Illinois, Frank Dickinson of Norridgewock, Lorna Bradbury and her husband Gordon of Williston, North Dakota, and Elizabeth Eggleston and her husband James of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was lovingly cared for by her son Frank while she was able to stay in her home. The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Maplecrest Rehabilitation and Living Center in Madison for their thoughtful attention during the year she was in their care.

Visiting hours will be held Thur. June 3rd, from 7 PM to 9PM at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, ME. A funeral Service will be held Friday, June 4th at 1Pm at the First Congregational Church of Norridgewock, 32 River Rd, Norridgewock, ME. The burial will follow immediately in Sunset View Cemetery, Norridgewock. Arrangements are under the direction of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home.