Ruth Townsend Story

PORTLAND – Ruth Townsend Story, a visionary language arts educator, and ardent supporter of the arts and humanities throughout her life, died in her home in Portland, Maine, on June 25, 2026, at the age of 91, after a decade of suffering from brain disease.

Ruth, née Jimmie Ruth Greene, was born in Cochise, Ariz., in 1935 to Effie Fisher Wester and James Edward Greene. Ruth married Richard Edward Townsend in Montecito, Calif. in 1955 and gave birth to their first son, Gavin Edward Townsend, in 1956. After Gavin’s birth, the family moved from California to New York, and their second son, Bryan Andrew Townsend, was born in White Plains, N.Y. in 1960.

Ruth received a BA from the University of California Los Angeles in 1955, and an MA from Columbia University Teacher’s College in 1966. Ruth completed post-graduate studies in language, literature, the teaching of writing, and in teacher education, from Columbia, Northeastern, and New York University.

Ruth was an award-winning teacher, writer, and creator of innovative educational programs. She was a frequent contributor to professional publications and presenter at educational conferences throughout the country. She wrote five books, and also scripted three computer-assisted programs for teaching composition and five computer-assisted programs for teaching literature.

From 1966 to 1992, Ruth was a teacher of English at Yorktown High School, New York, and wrote the curriculum for Advanced Placement of English (1974-1976). For several years, she taught Composition at Manhattanville College and served as an English Language Arts consultant for the New York State Education Department and Northern Westchester BOCES, working with teachers in grades K-12. Ruth was Region I Director for the National Council of Teachers of English (1997-2000) and President of the New York State English Council (1992-2002).

In Mt. Kisco, N.Y., where she lived from 1962 until shortly after Richard’s death in 1998, Ruth helped found a nursery school, a day-care center for working mothers, the Mt. Kisco League of Women Voters, and the Inter-Faith Council. A long-time member of St. Mark’s Church, Ruth served twice on the Vestry, chaired the Outreach Committee for three terms, the Stewardship Committee twice, and served on the board, including a term as chair, of A-Home, a housing initiative for “fragile populations.” Ruth helped initiate the Mt. Kisco Food Pantry and the Inter-Faith Council..

In Portland, and Southport, Maine, where she lived with her second husband, Eugene Story, Ruth was active with Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens, the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, the Southport Island Association, and was chair of the governing committee of All Saints by-the-Sea Summer Chapel. In Portland, Ruth served on the Board of Directors of Kotzschmar Organ, Victoria Mansion, and Greater Portland Landmarks. She served on the Pastoral Care Committee for the Cathedral Church of St. Luke. Ruth was a supporter of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Museum of Art. Ruth concluded her lifelong love of teaching while offering an adult writing class at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USM – Portland.

To her close friends and family, Ruth will be remembered for her many passions, including her love of the performing arts, including music, ballet, theatre, and opera. Ruth was a cellist, pianist, and choral singer at various times in her life. Throughout her life, she was mindful to support for those in need. Most recently, Ruth was an active sponsor and supporter of Partners for World Health. Ruth loved traveling and was sure to visit local museums, historic places of interest, places of worship, concert halls, theaters, and botanical gardens. She was an accomplished self-taught cook, and shared her passion by starting a gourmet club in Chappaqua.

Ruth is survived by her son, Bryan and his wife Catherine and their two daughters; her daughter-in-law, Bonnie Townsend; and her grandson, Evan and his wife Alexis.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Richard; her son, Gavin; and her second husband, Gene.

A memorial service, celebrating the life of Ruth, is scheduled to take place on Oct. 24, at 11 a.m., and will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 143 State St., Portland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Alzheimer’s Association.