Ruth E. Rich of South Burlington, VT passed away on December 20, 2015 at the Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester, VT after having lived life to the fullest for 98 years. Ruth was born in Oswego, NY on November 3, 1917 to the late Edward A. Keenan and Marjorie (Cooper) Keenan. They moved to Montpelier and then to Burlington in 1929 where she graduated from Edmunds High School in 1935. Her father, Edward A. Keenan, was a former Mayor of Burlington. She married her former husband, Raymond Ricker, in 1936 and together they had four children. She married Edsel Rich in 1973, and provided unconditional love to three more children.
Ruth was employed as a secretary with Jenks, Gwynne & Company, a brokerage firm, for three years. She then accepted a job with the Burlington Free Press as a teletype operator for nine years. The next nineteen years were spent working as a secretary at Vermont Structural Steel Corporation where she met her husband Edsel Rich who survives her.
Ruth’s four children have fond memories of growing up on three farms, spending time at “Gramp’s” camp in Isle LaMotte, camping in Groton State Park, and traveling across the country with their parents and grandfather. Ruth cared for her grandmother, “Coope”, later in life. She loved gardening, canning, and she especially loved Christmas and giving.
Ruth was an active member of First Baptist Church in Burlington for over 80 years. She served as a Deaconess, was active with woman’s groups and taught Sunday School for many years. Ruth and her family established the “Keenan Handbell Choir” which she was very proud of and loved hearing them play. Ruth was also a Hospice volunteer after she retired.
Ruth cherished life and her greatest joy was having her family around her. Ruth and Edsel were inseparable, and the love they shared gave them both the strength and desire to live each day to the fullest. Her children and grandchildren knew her special love had no boundaries. With that love any adversity could be conquered. Whenever her family or friends stopped by for a visit, she couldn’t wait to feed them, and what a great cook she was! Many times she would just get finished cleaning up from one meal and she would be getting the next one planned. Ruth was also very much an outdoor enthusiast, who in her early years loved hunting, fishing, hiking and many other activities. She also loved watching and feeding birds and could name all of them that appeared at the feeder or anywhere else.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Edsel Rich; four children, Donald Ricker of Colonial Heights, VA, James Ricker of Colchester, VT, Carol Fixsen (Carl) of Leesburg, FL, and Jane Wade (Larry) of Boynton Beach, FL; step-children, Linda Hayes (Brian) of South Burlington, VT, Robert Rich of So. Burlington, VT, and Mary Lord (Michael) of Yulee, FL; one nephew, David Keenan; two nieces, Kathy Keenan and Lynn Keenan, and a sister-in-law, Lois Strong.
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Linda Marini, Dorothy Zaino, Denice Leuschner, Jennifer Ricker, Jason Ricker, Joshua Wade, Stephanie Wade, Bob Brisson, Scott Harrington, Mark Harrington, Lauren Harrington, Stephanie Godaire and Christine Godaire; 16 Great Grandchildren, Jonathon Marini, Heather Alsbrook, Michael Zaino, Zachary Zaino, Carlene Leuschner, Robert Leuschner, Jorie Farnsworth, Tyler Farnsworth, Justin Ricker, Morgan Ricker, Devon Ricker, Eleanor Wade, Genevieve Wade, Brian Brisson, Brittany Brisson, and Savannah Wade; 3 Great-Great Grandchildren, Kayee Brisson, Hunter Brisson and Colton Garrett.
Ruth was predeceased by her brother, Dr. Edward Keenan Jr.; sister-in-law, Ione Keenan; daughter-in-law, Elise Ricker; grandson, Steven Ricker and 2 granddaughters, Debra Ricker, Sherri Brisson, and the father of her children, Raymond Ricker.
Visiting Hours will be at A. W. Rich Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Essex Jct., VT. on January 5th, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held on January 6th at First Baptist Church, 81 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT at 11:00 am.
Memorial Contributions in Ruth’s memory can be made to Keenan Handbell Choir in care of First Baptist Church, 81 St. Paul St., Burlington, Vt. 05401. We also invite you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.