Ruth P. Gildart

Ruth P. OConnor Gildart, of Cape Elizabeth, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Maine Medical Center after a short illness. Ruth was born in Portland on June 13, 1924, the daughter of Martin J. and B. Helen OConnor. She grew up in the West End of Portland and graduated from Sacred Heart Grammar School and Portland High School. On May 29, 1948 she married Charles A. Gildart Jr. at Sacred Heart Church; together they raised two sons. Ruthie enjoyed being a homemaker and when her sons were older she went to work at Martins Food, later called Hannaford, and Pauls on Congress Street. She was a long-time communicant of St. Dominics Church in Portland. Ruthie and Charlie were able to make a trip to Ireland and had fond memories of seeing where their ancestors came from. Later on they built a cottage on Peaks Island and spent many happy days there. Her family meant the world to her, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her later years she enjoyed going to Beano at the South Portland Community Center and St. Pius Beano in Portland. Besides her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her husband Charlie, her brother Martin OConnor, and sisters Catherine Brown and Winnifred Nixon. She is survived by her sister Mary Pauline Strout; two sons Kevin P. Gildart and his wife Janet of Cape Elizabeth, and Dennis M. Gildart and his wife Jane of Yarmouth; six grandchildren, Matthew Gildart and his wife Alle, Meghan Nappi and husband Josh, William Gildart and wife Miranda, Patrick Gildart and wife and Lori, Shannon Gildart and Joanna Gildart; six great-grandchildren, Kira and Shea Gildart, Ronan and Isla Nappi, Kaelan and Ryan Gildart; and a number of nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, September 29 from 4-7pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, September 30 at 11am at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road South Portland. To view Ruths memorial page and to share a condolence please visit www.ctcrawford.com The family would like to thank the Cape Elizabeth Rescue and the ER Staff at Maine Medical Center, especially the critical Care Nurse, Gabe.