Ruth B. O'Brien

NORWAY — Ruth Bonney O’Brien, 86, of South Paris, went to join her heavenly family on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 at Stephens Memorial Hospital.

She was born in Waterford to Clayton and Grace Skinner Pike on Oct. 8, 1926. She attended Waterford public schools and graduated from Bridgton Academy in 1945.

At the age of 14, Ruth and her twin, Reta, loaded truckloads of timber and brought it out of the woods with oxen while their brothers served in World War II. She lived and worked locally with the work ethic she learned growing up on the farm. She was a 35-year active member of the Ronald G. St. John VFW Post in Harrison, named for her beloved nephew. She was a longtime member of the Grace Baptist Church in South Paris, until she became housebound.

She is survived by children, Cindy Moxcey and Diana Moxcey, Heather Grow and Dylan Andrews; nine great-grandchildren; and sisters, Lelia Hill, Laura Richardson, Betty Adams and Eva Thurlow. She treasured time spent with her family and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jim; son, Rocky Bonney; a grandson; brothers, John, Wendall, Robert, Fred and Herbert Pike; and sisters, Edith Monk and Reta St. John.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the VFW Hall in Harrison.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald St. John Scholarship Fund, 37 Mutiny Brook Road, Waterford, ME 04088.