Ruth Stevens Kimball

Ruth Stevens Kimball
12/31/39 – 3/30/2026

Our world is colder now. Before this it was a warmer and more beautiful place, made so by the light of her love, her generosity, her heart, and what she alone could make: a new house a home, a delicious rib-sticking meal out of basics, an ache go away with the touch of her hand.

Ruth worked hard all her life, instilling in her three children, and in countless others, pride in a job well done. She was dedicated, determined, dependable, consistent, and strict. We knew what she thought, or would think, about the choices we made. Most of the time we acted accordingly. Throughout our early years, she held herself to a standard of strength and compassion which allowed us to be children, unaware of the challenges she faced parenting, mostly alone, nurturing us in homes filled with love and warmth, maintaining friendships over long distances, and making new friends again and again each time our family moved.

Ruth taught, by example, not to measure friendships and love, but to love and give endlessly for the benefit of others. She was a model of devotion to her Episcopal faith and to the rhythms and beliefs of the Church. She wanted to be of service, made sure that she was, and that we would be too.

She grew up, as we did, at Point Breeze, her family’s summer resort on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH, where generations of our tightknit family found a love of the outdoors, learned to canoe, waterski, sail, and swim. Growing up as one of four children, Ruth had a competitive streak, which she channeled into basketball in high school and a formidable game of tennis as an adult. It was also at PB where Ruth learned bookkeeping and what it takes to cook for large numbers of staff and guests, skills which she later used to open businesses of her own, including restaurants Ye Hampshire Cheese and The Picnic Hamper, and perhaps the business closest to her heart: her own catering company, named Simply Elegant by an impressed early client.

Ruth loved bright colors: pink, chartreuse, and green, classic navy stripes and polka dots. Had frosted hair and frosted pink lips throughout the 70s. Loved to play cards: Bridge, Spite & Malice, Double solitaire, Rummy and more. Dropped everything, turned her world upside down, first for her children, and then again for her grandchildren, all of her life. She made countless lunches and dinners, apple fritters, french toast, brownies, cookies, and cakes. She perfected cream puffs and biscuits, gazpacho, the list could go on. But she was KNOWN for her English muffins. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of batches, mostly as gifts. And we clamored for them, the best breakfast of all, with a bowl of her apple sauce, tart and sweet, on the side.

Ruth delighted in having the opportunity to travel with her friends. She made memories of a lifetime during trips to Australia and New Zealand, Germany, Italy (she especially loved her time in Tuscany), Belgium, France, England, Ireland, Canada, and the Caribbean. Our homes are filled with small treasures from her travels.

In her last years, the light-hearted mischievous nature Ruth had as a girl returned. The caregiving team at Avita loved her playfulness–as did we–her joy was a gift that enriched all of our lives. She smiled and laughed and forged meaningful connections, just as she had done throughout her life. Ruth was known and admired throughout the community and was cared for with genuine love, deep compassion, and respect by the entire staff of Avita of Brunswick. To all of Mom’s Avita family: the Kimball family’s gratitude for the care you provided to our Mom, and to all of us, is immeasurable.

Ruth took her final breath on March 30th, in a room full of love, four generations in all…and then it was three. Her leave-taking a party, her final time host. But also a return home. For as full and fierce and pure as her love for us was, she revered her mother, Jean, whom she always referred to as a saint. Ruth lost her mom when she was a young mother herself and has yearned for her love and wise counsel ever since. We choose to believe they are reunited, even if the rest of those stories about heaven don’t hold. Let her be with her mom, whom she missed like we now miss her.

Ruth is survived by her three children: Margo LK Harrington (Don), Amy Kimball (Ed ), and J. Todd Kimball; four grandchildren: Sarah Lederer (Will), Katherine Adams (Wilson), Nathaniel Harrington, and Diana Kimball; two great grandchildren: Ruth and Nora Adams; sisters: Margaret Jean Taylor and Gerry Jarvis; many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. Ruth is predeceased by her brother, Allen Stevens.

Calling hours will be held at Conroy-Tully Walker 300 Allen Ave, Portland, Maine on June 5 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 6 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth, Maine. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or a contribution in Ruth’s name to the Avita of Brunswick Holiday Fund (all money collected is distributed to their phenomenal staff during the holiday season).