Ruth Souweine

BANGOR - Ruth Souweine, 67, of Bangor, died peacefully with her family by her side Sunday, March 2, at Eastern Maine Medical Center as a result of a motor-vehicle collision occurring Thursday night on the road to Sugarloaf where she was to meet and ski with her grandchildren.
Ruth was born September 24, 1946, to the late Jack and Agnes McCullough, formerly of Lexington, Mass. Ruth graduated from Lexington High School in 1964 and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she met her husband Lee Souweine Jr. They have been married for more than 45 years.
Ruth and Lee moved frequently during their years with the U.S. Army, and they made many friends while living in Germany, Kentucky, Alaska, Indiana, North Carolina, and Maine. Ruth earned her master’s degree in psychology from Eastern Kentucky University in 1978. She supervised drug-abuse treatment programs in Alaska, North Carolina, Kentucky and Maine. For many years she helped manage her husband’s orthodontic practice.
Ruth was a kind, generous and inquisitive woman with many interests, including skiing, tennis, traveling, knitting and quilting. She was an active member of the Armstrong Tennis Center and St John’s Episcopal Church, where she served on the vestry and the finance committee for many years. In addition, she was president of the Penobscot Valley Ski Club and the Penobscot Valley Skating Club. A caring and deeply compassionate woman, Ruth worked at Sugarloaf ski area as a ski Ambassador and delivered meals-on-wheels in the Bangor area for many years. She was a proud new member of PEO Sisterhood, Chapter B, Bangor.
Ruth loved to travel and was never happier then when exploring and trekking. She and Lee kayaked the Kauai coast, trekked to Annapurna base camp at 14,000’ in Nepal, hunted with the bushmen on the Serengeti in Africa, cross-country skiied in Norway, explored Machu Piccu and the Amazon in Peru, barged down canals in France and Russia, and hiked the glaciers in the Swiss Alps from hut-to-hut. She did have a quiet side, though, and enjoyed sailing, ocean kayaking and being on the beaches in the Caribbean, as well as just watching the loons from their camp at Phillips Lake.
More than anything, Ruth cherished the time that she spent with her two grandchildren, Lillian and Spencer Souweine. She leaves behind daughter, Kristen Souweine Martin DO and son-in-law Keith Martin; their soon-to-be born-this-month grandson, son David Souweine; brother Glenn McCullough and wife Vada of Owls Head; brother-in-law Bill Souweine and wife Jorene of Centerville, MA.; and many nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Ruth followed her dreams and forged her own unique path making them a reality as few people can do. Her indomitable spirit will live on in her daughter’s beautiful smile, her son’s quiet contemplations and her grandchildren’s grins and love of adventure.
Friends and family are welcome to call 5-7 p.m. Friday, at Brooking Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor. Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at St John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French Street Bangor with the Reverend Cannon Marguerite A.H. Steadman, rector, officiating.
Those who wish to remember Ruth in a special way may make gifts to the United Way of Eastern Maine, 24 Springer Dr, Suite 201, Bangor Maine. www.unitedwayem.org. Two people now are off dialysis and will lead freer lives because of her generous gift at her passing. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.