RUTH HUNGERFORD Obituary

RUTH JEAN HUNGERFORD - ST. ALBANS - Ruth Jean Hungerford, a longtime resident of this community, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Bonita Springs, Fla., following a brief illness. Born in Newport, Vt., on Nov. 29, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Paul Bailey and Caro F. Meaker. Ruth was 82 years old. On Oct. 11, 1952, in St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Ruth married Richard S. Hungerford, who preceded her in death on July 1, 2005. Ruth moved to St. Albans in 1947, was a 1949 graduate of Bellows Free Academy, and then continued on to receive her Registered Nurse Degree from the Barre City Hospital School of Nursing. Her first nursing position was with the former Kerbs Memorial Hospital and later with the former St. Albans Hospital. After raising four sons, she returned to nursing in 1968 part time for Dr. Alan Scriggins and, in 1981, she went back to work full time for local pediatrician, Dr. "Chip" Chiappinelli. Ruth was very active in the local community with the St. Albans Skating Association, the Red Cross Blood Bank, the PTA, and also with St. Luke's Episcopal Church. She enjoyed stitching, gardening and cooking. "Being at home is truly where my heart is happy." Ruth had a smile for everyone, a compliment or even a hug or kiss was easily given. She cooed over all new babies, often asking to hold them and proclaimed how beautiful they are and making new parents even more proud. Ruth is survived by her four sons, Edward R. of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Thomas W. and wife, Barbara, of Swanton, H. David and wife, Shannon, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Christopher J. and wife, Claire, of St. Albans; grandchildren, Leah, Paul, Christopher and wife, Carrie, Mark and wife, Kristin, James, Meredith, Grace, Elliott, Charles, Eric, and Luke; and great-grandchildren, Annelise, Aria, Zoe, Arabella, Azariah, and Mason. Ruth is also survived by her brother, Edward T. Bailey and wife, Anne, of Loudonville, N.Y.; her special sweetheart, Bruce Wyckoff of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and her beloved Boston terrier, "Cricket." In addition to her parents and husband, Ruth was preceded in death by son, James Merrill Hungerford, in 1961. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, March 30, 2014, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 So. Main Street, St. Albans. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 31, 2014, at 11 a.m. in St. Luke's Episcopal Church, corner of Fairfield and Church Streets, St. Albans. Interment will be later this spring in the Hungerford family lot in Riverside Cemetery. Assisting the Hungerford family is Rett Heald and the staff of the Heald Funeral Home where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com. In memory of Ruth's love of dogs, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider, Hard'ack, Inc., specifically for Marc's Barc Parc, 154 North Main Street, St. Albans, VT 05478; or the Franklin County Home Health Agency, Hospice Program, 3 Home Heath Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478.