Ruth Esther McCann ⁷⁵⁹⁹

Morning Sentinel
Waterville, Maine
September 23, 2004

Ruth Esther Williams
1916-2004

WATERVILLE -- After a long struggle with Alzheimer's, Ruth Esther Williams passed away at home on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004, with her loving family surrounding her. One of 10 children of Patrick and Lillian Morris McCann, she was born at home on Dec. 6, 1916, in Orono.

Ruth graduated from John Bapst in Bangor and the Sisters of Charity School of Nursing in Waterville in 1936. She went on to work at Mount Sinai Hospital in Hartford, Conn., and the Sisters' Hospital in Miami, Fla., during World War II. She did private duty nursing and worked at the Colby College Infirmary, retiring from the Thayer Hospital in 1978.

She married Malcolm E. Williams of Waterville on Nov. 20, 1941, and together they had three children, Betty, Mike and Becky. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and was an enthusiastic participant in the many family picnics at Camden Hills State Park and Kokadjo. Her antics will never by forgotten, and the sound of a crow cawing will always bring back warm memories of her. She spent several summers in Boothbay Harbor caring for her favorite patient, Mary Roberts, whose summer home was at Juniper Point. Many pleasant family times were experienced during those working vacations, and long after Mary's death, Boothbay Harbor remained a favorite retreat for Ruth and Mac. Ruth was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Waterville. Active in the Cursillo movement, she enjoyed participating in the folk Masses each Sunday. She was a member of the Rosary Sodality in that parish and participated in many retreats at St. Paul's Retreat Center in Augusta. She began and ended each day with prayer and faced any difficulties with a novena.

She is survived by her husband, Malcolm, and three children, Elizabeth Ann Martin and her husband, Milton, of Canaan, Michael Earl Williams and his wife, Bonnie, of Oakland, and Rebecca Susan Tracy and her husband, Paul, of Raymond; her beloved grandchildren, Toby LeCrone Bradford and her husband, David, of St. Albans, Timothy LeCrone and his wife, Sherri, of Waterville, James "Jamie" LeCrone of Klearview Manor in Fairfield, Michael and Matthew Isgro of Portland, Michael Williams Jr. and his partner, Stacy Stearn, of Auburn, Stephanie Williams of Greensboro, N.C., Derek Veilleux and his fianc?e, Jude Maurer, of Saco, Jeffery Williams and wife Devon of Ft. Jackson in Columbia, S.C., Kelly Munroe of Gorham, Christopher and Daniel Tracy of Raymond, and Michelle Brown of Sanford; her great-grandchildren, who provided so many hours of pleasurable visits during her illness, are Kealeigh, Christian and Sophia Bradford of St. Albans, Caelan, Ty and Alexandria LeCrone of Waterville, Michaela Williams of Winslow and Kayla Williams of Greenboro, N.C., Trinitee Snyder of Gorham, and Caleb and Abigail Brown of Sanford. Their great-grandmother always had a kind remark or nice compliment for each one when they visited, even in the declining days of her illness.

Her mind remained capable of giving love right up to her last day. Ruth was always at the beck and call of her children and later her grandchildren. She selflessly gave of her time with no concern for herself in caring for and mothering her grandchildren. They held a special place in her heart. Each child has very special, loving memories of their Nana and Grammie, her special touch and wonderful sense of humor will be truly missed by them.

She is survived by two sisters, Virginia McCann of Bangor and Mary Fitzgerald of Winslow; also by many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and seven siblings.

Very special thanks go to her dearest friends at this time in her life, Doreen Higgins and her husband, Jim, Jane Gagnon and Lisa Winn for their tireless daily devotion to Ruth. Above all, they gave her the precious gift of laughter amidst the serious challenges an Alzheimer's patient faces. Her life was greatly enriched and eased by their presence during these difficult months. Remarkably, her sense of humor remained to make her daily life more bearable. The family is most grateful to them.

"There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend."

At the request of the family, there will be no visiting hours. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date. Burial will be at 11 a.m Monday, Sept. 20, at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta with the Rev. Ralph Boisvert officiating.

As a tribute of her life, the family suggests that donations in Ruth's memory be made to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, 101 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901, or to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 120 Drummond Ave., Waterville, ME 04901.

Arrangements are with Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. Friends unable to attend may send condolences and sign guest book at http://www.gallantfh.com.

  Events

• She appeared on the census in 1920 in Orono, Penobscot County, Maine. She lived in the household of her parents.

• She appeared on the census in 1930 in Bangor, Penobscot County, Maine. She lived in the household of her parents.

Ruth married Malcolm Earl Williams, son of George Leonard Williams and Iona Ella Bishop, 20 November 1941.⁷⁵⁹⁹ (Malcolm Earl Williams was born 10 January 1918 in Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine,^272,7599 died 20 August 2010 in Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine ^1570,7599 and was buried 24 August 2010 in Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery ⁷⁵⁹⁹.)