Ruth F. (Harvie) Barrows

Ruth F. (Harvie) Barrows

(February 19, 1925 – September 4, 2022)

Ruth Barrows (97 ½ years young) went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 4, 2022, after numerous short stays at the hospital. It has always been our prayer that she would pass quickly with as little pain as possible.  God is good and faithful in all things.                                                                                                                         

Ruth was born on February 19, 1925, daughter of Harry M. Harvie (Nova Scotia) and Bessie C. Knowles Harvie (Nova Scotia).  She was the youngest of 7 brothers and sisters who all predeceased her.  Ruth graduated from Leominster High School in 1943 and lived her entire life in Leominster, MA.

In 1948, Ruth married Ernest A. Barrows of Leominster and they remained faithfully married for 58 years when he passed away in 2006.  Ruth and Ernie had three children: Bruce A. Barrows of Jay, ME, Brad A. Barrows of Lunenburg, MA and Bonnie A. (Barrows) Nojeim of Leominster, MA.

Ruth worked for 10 years as a telephone (switch board) operator for New England Telephone & Telegraph Co in the center of Leominster and then an additional 5 years in the Clinton telephone office.  At the arrival of her long-awaited children, she left work to become a full-time homemaker and raise their children.  Once they were in elementary school, she worked for 19 years for the City of Leominster in the school cafeteria where she kept a close watch on her children to be sure they ate their veggies.

Ruth leaves behind Bruce Barrows and Pam McCarthy, Brad and Janice Barrows, Bonnie (Barrows) Nojeim, who cared for her for a number of years, and many nieces and nephews.  She also leaves her adopted son, John P Bulger of Leominster, MA who was a steady rock in her life. She is fondly known to her grandchildren as Gram (Tom), Meme (Jackie, Jenna, Mary and Mark) and Nonnie (Kimberly and Karen). She leaves three great grandchildren, Jacob Seymour of Spencer, MA and Logan and Hunter Pare of FL. She looks forward to seeing her friends and family that have gone before her and especially her granddaughter, Tiffany and great granddaughter, Katelyn.  What a perfect day that will be, rejoined at long last.

Ruth had a vibrant personality, infectious laugh and quick wit.  She enjoyed serving others throughout her life making friends and bringing joy wherever she went.  She served as a Den Mother and Cub Scout leader and took night classes in furniture upholstery, quilting and cake decorating.  She loved spending time on the back deck with her family and friends and cherished each moment with her grandchildren.

Ruth enjoyed the title of the oldest member of the First Baptist Church of Leominster where she has worshipped all of her life.  She has served her Lord in many capacities (deaconess, committee member, church choir, Food & Clothes Closet Ministry, and is known to peel apples and cook apple crisp for the Johnny Appleseed Festival).  During COVID, she cut cloth with her daughter-in-law providing nurses caps to area hospitals, in addition she helped make dolls and bears for children in third world countries.  This brought her meaning, purpose and great joy during the pandemic.  She loved her Lord and served Him who gave her life eternal. As a sinner, not worthy of any gift from God but what a beautiful gift she was given by her friend and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you to her incredible home health aides at New Beginnings and the staff at UMass Memorial Hospital, Leominster for their loving, compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Baptist Church of Leominster in memory of Ruth Barrows.

Let us not say goodbye … just see you soon

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