NORWICH – Ruth V. Breslin, 91, formerly of Norwich and most recently of South New Berlin, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday evening, Jan. 17, 2013 at the home of her daughter, Elaine Boise, in South New Berlin.
Ruth was born Nov.30, 1921 in No. Stratford, NH the daughter of Merton and Beatrice Johnston Phillips. At a young age, she moved with her family to the Norwich area where she grew up and attended the Norwich schools and was a 1940 graduate of the Norwich High School. For many years, Ruth was a successful and award winning Avon Representative. She completed her working career at Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, from which she retired in 1984 after 15 years of service.
Devoted to her family, Ruth, known affectionately as Grandma Ruthie, always made each of her grandchildren feel special as if they were the only one. She was a life long and member of the Calvary Baptist Church of Norwich. Ruth’s warm, charitable and caring ways were several of her many qualities which followed her every day of her life. She was active in her church where she volunteered at Valley Heights Christian Academy and made frequent visits to friends and neighbors in the local hospital and nursing homes.
Ruth is survived by her children, Mark Hine Sr. and wife Deborah of Myrtle Beach, SC, Elaine Boise and husband Larry of South New Berlin, her grandchildren, Michael Brownell and wife Sue, Barry Brownell, Robby Brownell, Kristy Dunn, Karleen Bird and husband Pete, Michael Hine, Christian Hine, Daniel Hine and wife Erin, Mark Hine Jr. and wife Bridget, Alexander Hine and wife Sarah, Veronica Whitehill and Jason Boise. Also surviving are several great and great great grandchildren, her step-mother Letha Phillips of Norwich, her sisters Donna Rose and husband Wayne of Huntsville, Ala., Sharon Roberts and husband Robert of Oxford and her brother David Phillips and wife Donna of Concord, NC along with several nieces and nephews.
Ruth was predeceased by her husbands Lawrence Hine and Howard Breslin, her daughter Vada Stithem and husband Charles, her son Lawrence Hine and her brothers Darwin, Royal and John Phillips.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday from the Calvary Baptist Church of Norwich. The Rev. Brian Conover, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery of New Berlin.
Friends may call at the Calvary Baptist Church on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church, Calvary Dr. Norwich, NY 13815 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815. Arrangements with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.