Ruth G. Leadbetter

PORTLAND - Ruth G. Leadbetter, 92, of Portland, died Friday March 9, 2012 at the Osher Inn at the Cedars with her family by her side. Ruth was born on October 26, 1919, in Portland, a daughter of Frank W. and Elotia Noyes Gilman. She attended local schools, was a graduate of Deering High School and attended Westbrook Junior College. On October 25, 1941 she married James W. Leadbetter at St. Joseph's Church in Portland. Ruth and Jim opened The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth in 1969. In the early 1970's they opened The Candle Shack, a gift shop next door to the restaurant. These two businesses became a destination point for visitors and locals alike each summer. In 2009 the family was honored to receive the Maine Family-Owned Business of the Year Award. Ruth and Jim continued to run The Candle Shack until his death in 2010. For over 35 years Ruth and her husband wintered in Sedona, Arizona, where they were active members of the artisan community. They shared a love of creating pottery. Ruth was skilled at creating fine, delicate pieces. She was a member of the Monday Potters and was also an excellent quilter. In addition to running the gift shop, Ruth enjoyed spending summer time at their cottage on the shore of Little Sebago. Ruth was a communicant of St. Pius X Church. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Leadbetter Porch and her husband Herbert T. of Cumberland Center; a son, Leigh F. Leadbetter and his wife Sharon of Sedona, AZ; seven grandchildren, many great grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren; as well as five nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. The family of Mrs. Leadbetter would like to extend a special thank you to the Wellness Aids, Nurse Diane and the staff at the Osher Inn for their personal and loving care. Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave. Portland. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. For those desiring, donations made to Easter Seals Maine, 125 Prescumpscot Street, Portland, Maine 04103 or Maine Adaptive Sports Recreation, 8 Sundance Lane, Newry, Maine 04261 would be greatly appreciated.Online condolences may be expressed below.