Ruthe was a woman who was dedicated to helping her community whether civic, church or neighborhood. Ruthe was born in Barre, VT in 1949. She was the daughter of George and Ruth Donahue. As a youngster Ruthe came to Bath and was raised by Kenneth and Helen Murray, of who she was very fond. She married John Pagurko Jr. on May 20, 1978. She and John had two beloved children, Jennifer and Jamie, and spent many wonderful years together as a family.
Ruthe touched the lives of many in the Bath community. She was lovingly known as “Foofy” to the many children that attended her home day care. She always had cookies and her special peanut butter squares.
While dealing with her own health challenges Ruthe continued to fulfill all of her commitments. Ruthe faithfully served her community as a City Councilor for 8 years. She was a dedicated public servant and was proud of her contribution. “I always do my homework before every council meeting.” She was a tireless worker for the Bath community both as a Councilor and an inexhaustible volunteer. Her volunteer work included the Christmas and Heritage Day parades, the Bath Soup Kitchen, Girl Scouts, Maine Maritime Museum, Midcoast Symphony Orchestra and Maine Music Theater just to name a few. She was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary, the Spirit of Bath Award by Maine Street Bath and the Main Street Bath President’s Award. She was on the board of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Maine Street Bath, First Baptist Church and the Salvation Army.
Ruthe’s volunteerism is without bounds. She dedicated herself to helping all those in need and provided in any way that she could to assure children and adults included were thought of. Ruthe’s involvement with civic groups are many – Bath Senior Citizens Center, Community Policing, American Legion, Regional School Union #1, Elder Abuse Task force, and many others.
Ruthe was predeceased by her husband John in 1995. She is survived by her daughters Jennifer and husband Kevin Becze of Jacksonville, FL, her daughter Jamie and husband Lessie White Jr. of Boothbay and sister Pat Donahue of Barre VT. She is the loving “Mimi” to four grandchildren to whom she was devoted, Sophie and Lessie White III, and Isabella and Madelyn Becze.
Ruthe never said “No” to anything asked of her and was a friend to all. “One of a kind” with a heart bigger than life itself. She will be sadly missed by her loving family and leaves a huge void in the Bath community.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 2 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Washington St, Bath ME. Funeral services will be held at 2:00. The family respectfully requests that, if you choose, donations be made to one the many organizations in which Ruthe was actively involved.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com
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