Ruth J. Berry

FRYEBURG — Ruth Jane Berry passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 at the Fryeburg Health Care Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born Aug. 18, 1935 in Pawtucket, R.I., to Ruth Smith Paton and Robert Paton. She attended schools in R.I. and when her father passed away in 1950 her mother remarried and the family moved to Bridgton, where she attended Bridgton High School. She married Peter C. Berry in 1953, and they moved with their young son, David, to Hartford, Conn., where Peter was employed by Pratt Whitney Aircraft. In 1958 the family moved back to Bridgton and when the Bridgton Knitting Mill opened Ruth obtained employment there and continued with the company until retirement in 2000. After retirement she and Peter spent several winters in Cherry Grove Beach, S.C., where they enjoyed walking the beaches, visiting historical sites and dining in the many and varied seafood restaurants in the area. Brookgreen Gardens was a favorite of hers and they spent many days roaming the sculpture courts and beautiful flower displays. Travel was one of her joys and she and Peter visited nearly all the states, national parks and monuments.

She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church of Bridgton and enjoyed meetings of the women’s club. Her hobby since she was a child was knitting and she made lovely baby clothes for all her children and later beautiful sweaters, hats, socks and scarves. Many of her friends and neighbors still wear her knitted things and treasure them.

She took great pride in the achievements of her children and grandchildren and loved visiting with each great-grandchild.

She was predeceased by a brother, Robert; and a son, Michael. She is survived by a brother, Albert Smith Paton of El Cajon, Calif.; her husband of 59 years, Peter; her children, David Berry and wife Beverly of Bridgton, Debora Kutasi and husband Les of Bridgton, Robert and wife Tracy of Naples, Adam and wife Cathy of Fryeburg, Chris and wife Julie of Lafayette, Colo., and Dagny Leland and husband Dan of Harrison; 21 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A service will be held at the Bridgton United Methodist Church on Main Street in Bridgton on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 at 2 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com