Former Reading Resident Ruth Powers Passes Away

An obituary from the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home:

Ruth A. Powers, 78, of Windham, NH, formerly of Reading and Melrose, passed away at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House on Friday morning, August 23.

She was the loving wife of David Powers. Born and raised in Melrose, she was the daughter of the late William J., and the late Anne R. (Fortier) Turner. Ruth was a graduate of St. Mary’s Elementary School, and Melrose High School. When her children were young, she volunteered as a cheerleading coach, softball Coach, and Cub Scout leader. Ruth also served as a CCD Teacher at St. Athanasius Parish in Reading. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society. Ruth was an avid reader, and she enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s many sporting and school events.

Most of all, Ruth was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and friend, who truly enjoyed spending time with her family. In addition to David, her husband of 57 years, Ruth is survived by three sons, David D. Powers and his wife Sarah of Lovell, Maine, Thomas W. Powers and his wife Beth of Jupiter, Florida, and Christopher A. Powers and his wife Karen of Boxford; one daughter, Lynn A. Ferrazzani and her husband Kurt of North Reading; and twelve grandchildren, Kathleen Powers and her husband Scott, Emily, David, Matthew & Maggie Powers, Kristin Kennedy, Sam & Kenny Powers, and Terri, Monica, Jessica & Leah Ferrazzani. She is also survived by three brothers, Donald Turner and his wife Marcia of Ipswich, Lawrence Turner and his wife Debbie of Reno, Nevada, and Richard Turner and his husband Rick of Wakefield; and one sister, Jane Russell of Melrose; and her sisters-in-law, Janet Turner of Reading, and Diane Turner of Melrose; and many other close family members. She was preceded in death by three brothers, the late William, Philip, and Stephen Turner.

Ruth’s funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (cor. of Woburn St.) Reading on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 9 am, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Herbert St., Melrose at 10:30 am. Visiting hours will be at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 4-8 pm. Burial will be at the Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 45 Gay St., Providence, RI 02905; or to the Middlesex-East Visiting Nurse Hospice, c/o Gift Processing, 41 Mall Rd., Burlington, MA 01803.