Ruth White Harnden Lincoln

Ruth White Harnden Lincoln, 95, passed away peacefully and naturally in her home at Piper Shores on April 12, 2014. She was surrounded by the love of her family. If family is defined by whom we love and who loves us, Ruth had a huge family. She will be greatly missed because of who she was as a person. She was born December 5, 1918 to Sarah White Harnden and George Harnden in Bayside, Long Island, New York, in the family home that her father built. She lived there until she married Robert B. Lincoln in 1950. Ruth graduated from Flushing High School in 1930. She went to the Mary Nash Secretarial School and became an executive secretary to the President of the Bayside National Bank. She loved music and dancing and taught dancing at the Arthur Murray Studio. After Ruth and Bob Lincoln married they moved to Darien, Connecticut. Ruth volunteered for the Red Cross, and taught Sunday school at the Congregational church. She worked for a variety of charities and organizations, always eager to help. After Bob's retirement they divided their time between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. After Bob died, she moved to an apartment at Piper Shores, a retirement community in Scarborough, Maine. She spent spring and fall at Piper Shores for six years and eventually moved there full time. Ruth loved her three homes. Her home on Cape Cod, where she spent summers, was situated on the Bass River and had a beautiful view of the salt marshes and beyond. She loved to sit in her chair on the sun porch and watch the boats and the world go by on the river, as well as her beautiful flower gardens, and the change of seasons. Winters she spent at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. She loved the tropical lifestyle and the view out the canal to the ocean. She enjoyed her good friends and playing bridge at the Racquet Club, and also eating out at many of the fine restaurants at Ocean Reef. She especially loved the weekly wine tastings at the local wine shop. She called it the "free wine place," and brought her own snacks to share with other patrons. The wine merchant called Ruth his favorite customer and kept a bottle of her favorite wine on reserve. Ruth touched the lives of all who knew her. Her pithy humor, her high spirits, her love of a good time, and her generosity were a constant source of delight. Everyone has a funny Ruthie story: a "Ruthism." Ruth was a keen observer of people. She was never critical of others, but genuinely interested in their lives and relationships. She had no hesitation in striking up a conversation with total strangers. She treated everyone like a friend and once she got to know you, you became part of her family. Ruth was often referred to as the "Energizer Bunny" because of her indefatigable enthusiasm for new adventures. She rarely missed an activity. After each event, she would ask "What Next?" She could exhaust people half her age. She loved to play bridge and her hooked rugs are treasured by anyone lucky enough to own one. She loved a party, a glass of wine, and good food. Her love of dessert, especially chocolate is legendary. She once ordered and consumed two desserts at a restaurant and no one noticed until the bill came. She especially loved being with her family. They gave her great joy. She loved the traditions of Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries, and of course Mother's Day. Ruth was predeceased by her husband Robert B. Lincoln, her parents, and her sister Gertrude Harnden Berner. Ruth and Bob raised two daughters, Robin Louise Lincoln, and Laura Jane Lincoln, who both survive her, as well as her son-in-laws, Elmo Mackay and Craig Gorman. Her beloved granddaughter, Courtney Leigh Gorman, also survives her. Ruth also leaves three generations of Berners, all of whom she adored and was so proud of: Paul Berner and his wife Kathy and their children, Kevin Berner and his wife Kerry and their three children, Maribeth Berner and her husband Jeff and their son Jack, Ken Berner and his wife Joan, much-loved niece Susan Berner and her children Sarah, Ruth, and Eric. A very special thanks to the amazing team of women from Home Instead Senior Care, who worked their love and magic with Ruth for many years. They treated Ruth as they would their own mother or better. A heartfelt thanks goes to the awesome staff at Piper Shores, with hearts of gold. Each one is an angel in every way. She was truly blessed. A gathering, to celebrate Ruth's life, for friends and family will be held at a future date. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Me. In lieu of flowers, or for those wishing to make donations in her memory, please consider: Sol Amor- Life Choice Hospice, 23 Spring Street, Scarborough, Maine 04074.Online condolences may be expressed below.