MT. DESERT — Ruth Whittle Cary, 83, passed away on December 22nd after a brief illness. She was born in Martinsville Virginia, the daughter of the late Flora Redd and Henry Drewry Whittle. Ruth graduated from Martinsville High School and attended Beaver College (now Arcadia University). In 1950 she married Campbell Cary in Martinsville. They moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1954, Brunswick, Maine in 1985 and to Mount Desert Island in 1998.

Ruth raised and loved her three children, and was an active volunteer and community member. She enjoyed sailing, golf, hiking, traveling, gardening and had a lifelong interest in learning. When they moved to Brunswick, Ruth quickly became active with the Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary. She also organized the first Auxiliary community yard sale. She was a charter member of Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church in Topsham and chaired the building committee for the creation of the present church campus. Summers were reserved for spending time at Pond Island off Milbridge, Maine.

In addition to Campbell Cary, her husband of 62 years, Ruth is survived by her three children, Mary Cary and husband Greg Frosberg of Anchorage AK, Whittle Cary and wife Ruth of Huntsville AL, and Sarah Robinson and husband Keith of Steuben ME. She has five grandchildren; Brian, Amanda, and Stafford Cary, and Cary and Keith Robinson.

A memorial service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held Saturday January 5th, at 1pm at the Somesville Union Meeting House (UCC). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Ruth’s memory to Somesville Union Meeting House (UCC), P.O. Box 96 Mt. Desert, ME 04660.