Published in the August 14, 2015 edition
MELROSE — C. Ruth (Roche) Brown, 85, a longtime resident of Melrose, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Ruthie was born in Mission Hill on Sept. 10, 1929, one of two daughters of the late Patrick and Catherine (O’Leary) Roche. Raised in Mission Hill and Jamaica Plain, she graduated from Mission High School and began working at First National Bank in Boston. She met and married a coworker, Robert W. Brown, while working in human resources at First National Bank. They settled on Youle Street in Melrose where they enjoyed living for many years.
Ruth devoted herself to her faith in many ways. She was a regular parishioner at St. Mary Church where she attended 9 a.m. Mass for many years. She offered herself as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered to serve Communion at area hospitals and nursing homes. Always ready to help, she was a woman who embodied selfless action for the good of others.
To put it simply, Ruth found that helping others was what brought her the most happiness. Helping people whenever possible was her passion and the single most important aspect of her life. Whether it was simply running errands for a sick neighbor or friend, volunteering at the hospital or providing for others what they could not provide for themselves, she was always there. A devout woman, her favorite color was blue due to her deep connection to the Blessed Mother. Her favorite day was Wednesday when she would return to Mission Church to pray the Novena every week. Appropriately, she was called to her Lord and willingly answered his call on a Wednesday.
Appreciative of her roots in Ireland, Ruth enjoyed going to Irish concerts and was proud of her Irish heritage every day. She loved dinners with friends at Jimmy’s Steer House in Arlington or wherever somebody else recommended. She enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Las Vegas with her sister and Nova Scotia with Bob. Her dogs and most recently her cat Chloe held a special place in her heart.
Ruthie was a sweet, bubbly, energetic woman who was full of life. With her vivacious spirit and warm heart she endeared herself to many of her friends and neighbors. She loved life, was always willing to help and truly lived the faith through her daily activity. Her life was truly a blessing in so many ways and everyone will remember with great fondness her favorite line, “It’s a miracle.”
Ruthie was the beloved wife of the late Robert W. Brown. She was the loving sister of the late Iris Green and her late husband Philip. She was the dear sister-in-law of Paul E. Brown of North Carolina and his wife Sally. She was the caring aunt of Rolf Brown, Paul E. Brown Jr., Amanda Brown and Gretchen Borgas. She is also survived by several grandnieces and grandnephews, dear longtime friends Christina and Tom Loftus and their son Michael of Melrose.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Ruth’s life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 9:15 a.m. before leaving in procession to St. Mary Church, Herbert Street, Melrose where her funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
Gifts in Ruthie’s memory to St. Mary Church, Fatima Garden Fund, 46 Myrtle St., Melrose MA 02176. For online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
