Ruth Diana Porter

April 2, 1956 ~ March 29, 2024
Resided in:
Sanford, Maine
Ruth D. Porter, née Kich, of Springvale, Maine, passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous, two-year cancer battle.
Ruth served as the Finance Director for the Township of Scarborough and was its first female department head. She began her 42-year career in the finance department on an auspicious day, her mother’s birthday, July 28,1980. During her tenure as Scarborough’s Finance Director, Ruth implemented many policies which enhanced, streamlined, and ensured compliance with rules and regulations. She put together the first computerized financial management system and helped create the initial financial and personnel policies and procedures that in many instances are now state and federal mandated including welcome and exit processes.
Ruth’s directorial oversight led the Town of Scarborough to receive the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) as part of their Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Finance Reporting. The prestigious honor has been awarded each consecutive year since 2005 and is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
Throughout her career, Ruth has been active in the field beyond the walls of her office. In 1984, she was a founding member of the Maine Government Finance Officers Association (MEGFOA) serving on the executive board from 1984-1988 and again from 1994-2019. She also held other leadership roles as part of MEGFOA: Vice President from 1999-2000, President from 2000-2001, and Secretary/Treasurer for most of the other years.
Her achievements with MEGFOA expanded past her participation on their board. She joined the New England States Government Finance Officers Association Executive Board (NESGFOA) in 2011 until 2021. Additionally, Ruth was a mentor for the GFOA Women’s Public Finance Network for a few years, mentoring new Finance Directors.
On top of all these professional achievements, Ruth was a devoted mother raising their children with John on “the Ridge”, Columbus Day trips to the mountains and summer trips to the beach and lake. With her grandson there were dozens of his school performances and sporting events, as well as enjoying movies together at the theater.
After her retirement, Ruth bravely took on her cancer treatments as well joyously celebrating what she loved about Maine with her family: the fall colors; the seasonal changes; the ponds, beaches, and oceanfront; enjoying Maine’s pristine air and areas of untouched, natural beauty. She loved plays and musicals and attended productions at the Ogunquit Playhouse, The Music Hall in Portsmouth, and the Sanford Performing Arts Centers.
She will be remembered and missed by her many co-workers and employees, present and past, with whom she worked side-by-side. Toasts will be raised by longtime school friends with whom she spent many great times laughing, reminiscing, sharing dinners and lunches: Terri, Gloria, and Diane (aka the “four musketeers”).
Ruth is survived by John, her loving husband of 40 years, son Jacot, daughters Jessie and Jillian, and grandson Tyson. Also, three brothers and two sisters: George & Mary Ann (CA), Judy & Bill (IL), Ann & Jim (NY), John & Diane (GA), and Frank & Joanne (ME), and her brother-in-law Lester, and many Porter and Kich nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Visiting hours will be Friday, April 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, ME. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 13th at 10 a.m. at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford, ME. Interment will be at Notre Dame Cemetery the following week. For those unable to attend in person, the Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at the link listed below.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Ruth D. Porter to New England Cancer Specialists in Kennebunk online at www.newenglandcancerspecialists.org/financial-support or the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough online at www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/donate.
So very sorry to hear Ruth has passed. I’ll remember her smiling face…such a sweet lady.
Porter, Kitch families, I am so very sorry for your loss, and our loss. We attended Holy Family and Sanford High together. She was such a good person, kind, and liked to laugh, we girls had our own basket ball team, played softball and had a great time. I will always look back on those days fondly. ❤️
Claire Murphy Buck
Your light is ever shining.Rest in heavenly peace, my friend. I love you.
I’m so very sorry to hear that Ruth has passed! Hugs and prayers to John and all her family and friends Jerry and I send our deepest condolences 💐
Love,
Cynthia and Jerry Yeram
Ruth was always kind and friendly
Lisa and I want to express our sincere condolences to John and the children and the whole family. Ruth was a very special person and Lisa, and I enjoyed the time we spent with them in the past with Mark and Terry Coté. Rest in peace Ruth.
The “Four Musketeers” are no longer the same without you. A piece of our hearts go with you, Ruth….until we meet again.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our children grew up together and in each others homes, we feel as if we have lost a member of our family. Ruth’s love for her family and friends and her faith will go on, and she lives in our hearts and memories.
Ruth you were such an amazing friend. Your kind and gentle spirit was such a blessing to me. You will be greatly missed but your love and light will forever be in my heart. Rest in peace my friend.
May the true Light of the world embrace you and bring you peace.
Ruth and John’s house was my second home all through middle and high school. Jessie and I would spend days at a time blasting music up at The Ridge, being tricked into making time-consuming dinners (a trick Jessie now masters with Tyson on gyoza nights)… and rewatching movies until we could recite them by memory.
Porter fam, I am so so sorry for your loss.
Ruth,
You were the best of us. You will always be in my heart.
Ruth, Memories of you will forever be in my heart ❤️
A genuine soul, a breath of fresh air, a friend that I will forever be thankful to God for having❤️ Rest in Peace Ruth. Save a spot for me!
John, Jacot, Jessie and Jill,
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your wife/Mom. I cannot imagine the heartache you are feeling. I will forever cherish the wonderful memories I have of Ruth. She will be forever missed❤️
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear of ruth’s passing. Our boys were in scouts together for years and we had some fun times on scout outings. You will be missed ruth. Rest in peace with no more pain.
So very sorry for your loss. May her love live in your hearts
May she rest in eternal peace and comfort.
Lisa pelonzi
May she rest in eternal peace and comfort
So sorry to hear about ruth
My thoughts and prayers, especially to John, Jacot, Jesse and Jillian.
As a little kid, and over the years growing up–Ruth was just such a kind, warm presence. I can still hear her laugh, see her smile, and hear her voice. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have her in my life. Sending my love,
Sarah Cote
Thank you for being such a great, caring, and loving friend. You are one of the most genuine people I ever knew. And you always knew how to make us smile.
We made many memories from childhood to adulthood! My heart will always cherish them. You will be missed. Rest in peace, my dear friend.