Ruth Barker

Ruth Moore Barker, 100, died November 3, 2018, at Ross Manor in Bangor. She was born in Steuben, Maine, on July 9, 1918, to Ralph W. and Eva (Whalen) Moore, the oldest of their five children. Ruth’s father, who owned the local grocery store, had 12-year-old Ruth driving his delivery truck as part of her childhood duties. She was an outdoor girl who loved ice skating, sledding, and skiing. In her adult years, she was an avid camper, swimmer, and snowmobiler. She was also a cat lover. Ruth attended Steuben schools and graduated from Steuben High School in 1936. She became a nursing student at EMGH in Bangor and graduated in 1940. As a staff RN, she worked at EMGH and did private duty for 25 years in Bangor, Kittery, York, Portsmouth, NH, and even St. Petersburg, FL. On June 19, 1942 Ruth married Robert Hamlin Barker. For most of their 49 years together they lived on Thompson Road in Veazie; they also owned camps on Springy Pond and Phillips Lake. Robert passed away in August, 1991. In addition, for 11 years Ruth was Director of Nursing at Bangor Convalescent Center. Later she became a “pool nurse” for four years at EMMC working on the oncology floor. In her retirement years, Ruth was an active and proud volunteer for several Bangor groups. She exceeded 3000 hours at EMMC. For several years she worked at the volunteer registration table for the annual Folk Festival. Her intimate knowledge of the City of Bangor helped her many summers while working at the Bangor Chamber of Commerce. Around each Christmas, Ruth could be found in some church basements counting Salvation Army bills and coins. Ruth belonged to several Bangor area organizations and clubs: EMMC – Husson Alumni Association; O.E.S. Tuscan Chapter; AARP; YWCA of Bangor; Veazie Senior Citizens Club and Historical Society; and the Bangor Nature Club. Ruth is survived by several nieces and nephews: In Maine, Joseph and Blair Sala, Martha Sala, Peter Sala, John and Shelley Sala. In Texas, Melton and Ann Stell, Dean and Pauline Lawson, Robin Moore, Nancy Sillers, Kim Moore, Michael and Linda Moore, and Jimmy and Jamie Stanford. She will also be kindly remembered by her life-long friend, Mildred Dinsmore of Steuben. Ruth was predeceased by her four siblings: William “Billy” Moore, Martha Livingston, Pauline Sala, and David Moore. She was also predeceased by three nephews, John Moore, Martin Livingston, and Dennis Moore. A Service of Remembrance will be held graveside at 11 AM, Thursday, Nov 8, at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at 10:45 AM, Thursday, at the Superintendents Lodge, 1048 State Street Entrance, Bangor. Gifts in her memory may be made to Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.