Ruth C. Matthews

Ruth (Cooper) Matthews passed away on May 21, 2020. Born in 1928 to Jonas and Frieda Cooper, Ruth was raised and educated in Sanford, ME. From the age of one, she spent summers at Square Pond in Shapleigh, ME, where she and her sisters, Muriel and Betty, were known to friends as the "Square Pond Cooper Girls". Following High School, she worked at Garnsey Brothers Insurance before meeting and then marrying Paul Matthews in 1951. After a brief stay in Trinidad where Paul served during the Korean War, their marriage, family and work life would take them to the west coast and to Connecticut but always back to Ruth's beloved Square Pond for the summer months. Ruth devoted her life to Paul and their family, raising her children, Linda and Scott, and then being a constant presence in the lives of her grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to attend a game, an event or a celebration. After retirement, Ruth and Paul settled in as Square Pond residents, leaving only for a few months in the winter for some warmer weather and time with friends in Fort Myers, FL. Most family gatherings and celebrations centered around their home on the lake, where Ruth could share many stories, from walking to the store at the foot of Mousam Lake for candy (and a ride home from Dad as he commuted back from town) to a swim from her home on the South Shore of the lake to Treasure Island to mark her 70th birthday. She always greeted family and friends with a warm smile and an open door, not to mention offers of coffee ice cream or a fudgsicle. Ruth is survived by Paul, her husband of 69 years, along with her daughter, Linda Anderson, and son, Scott Matthews and his wife, Beth, in addition to grandchildren Chris Anderson, Ryan Anderson and his wife, Casey, Scott Anderson and Jennifer March and her husband, Patrick, along with Tyler Matthews and his fiance, Courtney Guay, and Jason Matthews. She also leaves her great-grandson, Logan Anderson, her sister-in-law Dottie Pierce and husband, Lee, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.Ruth's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the team at Huntington Commons for their warmth, kindness and compassion in their care over the past few months.At Ruth's request, a private graveside service will be held at a later time.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com