She was born in Dover, New Hampshire on Jan. 29, 1920, a daughter of Frank and Victoria (Poirier) Perry.
On July 1, 1943, she married Raymond Blanchette. Their marriage was not long as Raymond passed away in February 1944. He left her with the gift of a beautiful son. On Oct. 20, 1956, she married Omer Lemelin and was again blessed with a beautiful daughter and two sons.
Ruth lived in Biddeford for many years and moved to Saco after retirement. In her younger years, she was a communicant of St. Andre’s church and was educated at St. Andre’s School. Later on in life, she was a member of St. Joseph Church and then Notre Dame de Lourdes Church. For the past two years, she lived in Gorham.
She was a member of the St. Jean Baptiste Drill Team.
Ruth was employed by Pepperell Mill, later working for John Roberts and Saco Tannery, retiring in 1973.
She was a member of Daughter’s of Isabella, the Biddeford Senior Center and the Lord Pepperell Club.
Her hobbies included embroidery, crocheting, ceramics, puzzles. She also liked playing cards with her friends, traveling and dancing. Most of all, she enjoyed visits from her family and friends. She always kept up with all the family activities and events. She cherished her family and the time they spent being together.
She was predeceased by five siblings John Perry, Francis Perry, Marie Richards, Gerry Perry and Theresa Metayer and by one son, Andrew Lemelin, in 2015 and by two grandsons, Scott and Michael Lemelin.
She is survived by three children, Raymond Blanchette and his wife Linda of Sunset Beach, North Carolina, Jeannine Lessard and her husband Charlie of Lyman, Rene Lemelin and his wife Joyce of Lecanto Florida, and Betsy Lemelin of Seabrook, New Hampshire, wife of the late Andrew Lemelin. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren Edward, Walter, Sherrie, Shellie, Michelle, Andy, Russell, Kathy, Ray III, Keith, Darrin, Brian, Sheila and David and by 24 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you goes out to all her angels: Angela and Jenn from Compassus Hospice, and all the staff at the Inn at Village Square, especially Tim.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Inn at Village Square Activity Department 123 School St., Gorham Maine 04038 or Compassus Hospice of Maine, 23 Spring St., Scarborough, Maine 04074
Visiting Hours will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, at Most Holy Trinity Church, in Saco. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.
To view Ruth’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com
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