Ruth Elaine (Halvorsen) Schilling

Ruth Elaine (Halvorsen) Schilling 1929 – 2022 BRUNSWICK – It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ruth Elaine Schilling, 93, on Sept. 18, 2022, in Brunswick where she was a resident of Mid Coast Senior Health Center, The Garden. She was born May 2, 1929 in Brooklyn, N.Y. and is predeceased by her parents Randi and Harold Halvorsen; and her sister, Dorothy Burke. She was married to Spencer A. Schilling for 67 years until his passing in 2017. She was the proud mother to three boys, David, (Cathy), Mark (Tara), and Spencer Jr. (Elaine); five grandchildren, James, Erik (Linda), Alex, Ryan and Keira; and one great-grandson, Graham. She was married in 1950 in Floral Park, N.Y. and they lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maine and London, England. She summered in New Harbor with her family from 1957 until 1985 when she and Spence finally made it their full-time home. She traveled throughout the world and all over the United States on many cross country camping trips to include driving to Alaska , always with their Golden Retriever, Jake. She volunteered extensively as her family grew up and was involved in Little League, Cub Scout leader. Boy Scouts and the PTA. Once her youngest son was in high school, she went back to school to become an occupational therapy assistant and was employed as an occupational therapist, and activity director for several retirement communities and the American Red Cross where she became the director of Volunteer Services. She also co-founded a consulting group, Project Associates that coordinated Swine Flu response in the Columbus area and published a guide to film locations within Ohio. She enjoyed knitting, gardening, needlepoint, painting, quilting, solitaire, and bridge and she was famous for her chocolate chip cookies. She was also very proud of her Norwegian heritage with many reminders around her home. The family would like to thank the staff at The Garden for their support and wonderful care they provided. She will be buried in the Harrington Cemetery in Bristol. A graveside service is planned for the Spring of 2023. Condolences may be shared at FuneralAlternatives.net In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Water of Life Lutheran Church 618 Route 1 New Castle, ME 04553 (Wateroflife Lutheranchurch.com) and The Garden 58 Baribeau Drive Brunswick, ME 04011