Ruth Renwick Cram, 96, of Kennebunk, died Sunday, May 28, 2023.
Ruth, daughter of Vertie and Louden Renwick, was born and raised in Athol, Massachusetts, and attended Becker College In Worcester, Massachusetts.
She met her husband of 65 years, the late Chester “Chet” David Cram, Jr., at Moody Beach in Wells, in 1945. They married the following year, moved to Washington, D.C., while Chet attended Georgetown Law School, and eventually settled in Kennebunk, their home for more than 40 years.
Ruth had a lifelong passion for volunteerism, especially community health and wellness. She provided thousands of hours of service over many decades working in every department, including the ER and even in the operating room, of the Webber Hospital in Biddeford. As an active member of the Webber Hospital Auxiliary, Ruth helped establish and manage the gift shops at Webber Hospital and Southern Maine Medical Center. For many years, she co-chaired the auxiliary’s musical variety show, Cardiac Capers. Ruth gave many volunteer hours to St. David’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunk and to its community service consignment shop, the Budget Box.
Ruth’s diagnosis of late-stage ovarian cancer in 1976 could have marked her end. Profoundly grateful to her exceptional medical team, she used her knowledge and experience to help establish a cancer support group, sharing advice and giving hope to others.
Ruth and Chet traveled extensively in Europe and enjoyed many winters in Florida and Spain. In 1995, they relocated to Punta Gorda, Florida, where Ruth wholeheartedly embraced her new community. She volunteered many hours weekly at the hospitals in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, where she made treasured new friends, and at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, serving as chairman of the Episcopal Church Women. In 2004 when Category 4 Hurricane Charley struck Punta Gorda, Ruth and Chet rode out the storm in their condominium. While they were fortunate, the devastation to Punta Gorda was unimaginable. She was proud of how her community came together to rebuild, year by year, better than ever. Ruth often said that she was such a proud resident, she should have volunteered at the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.
Ruth returned to Kennebunk in 2016 and loved life in her cottage at The Farragut. She was continually amazed at all the changes to the Kennebunks over the 20 years she had been gone. She especially enjoyed dining at new restaurants and working out at Quest Fitness. Ruth volunteered at The Center and got involved in social activities at The Farragut, acquiring many new friends. She followed the stock market and read every day. Each afternoon, she would sit in her sunroom or near the fireplace doing her daily Cryptoquip and crossword puzzles. Ruth was an active participant in her own life and a model for growing older gracefully.
Ruth never missed a chance to say that she had a great life. “Aren’t we lucky?” she would often ask. Because we knew you, Ruth, yes, we were lucky and so very blessed.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Chet, who died in 2011. She is survived by a son, David (Mary) of Cumberland, Rhode Island; a daughter, Penny (Rob) Spaulding of Kennebunk; two grandchildren, Heather (Scott) Bergeron of Granville, Massachusetts, and Taylor (Nicole) Cram of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; and two great-grandchildren, Kylie and Ryan Coxon. She also leaves behind cherished friends in Kennebunk and Punta Gorda.
A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held later this summer at a date to be announced. Interment will be in Hope Cemetery in Kennebunk. Arrangements are with Bibber Memorial Chapel, Kennebunk.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory to The Center (www.seniorcenterkennebunk.org), 175 Port Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043, would be greatly appreciated.
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