Obituary

Boylston—Ruth A. (Brigham) Gates, 86, passed away after a lengthy illness Tuesday, January 12, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She leaves her husband of 63 years, Alden H. Gates and two sons, Wayne A. Gates and his wife Carole of Natick and Craig A. Gates and Brenda Maille of Lowell; six grandchildren: Ryan C. Gates of Spencer, Casey B., Molly E., and Kristen M. Gates—all of Worcester, and Michael W. and Matthew H. Gates of Natick. She was predeceased by two brothers, Herbert and Alvin Brigham.
Ruth was born in Worcester, daughter of H. Lloyd and L. Vera (Hager) Brigham. She was a graduate of Commerce High School. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper at Parker & Harper. She also worked for Amarello & Sons and in the cafeteria of the Boylston Elementary School. Ruth was a member of the First Congregational Church of Boylston and its Ladies' Benevolent Society and the Boylston Graduates Assn. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Calling hours will be at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester Friday, Jan. 15, 5-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Boylston on Saturday, Jan. 16, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of First Congregational Church, Ten Church Street, Boylston, MA 01505. For directions to the funeral home and to send an on-line message of condolence to Ruth's family, click link below.