Talented soprano; founding member of NR Choral Society
Published November 8, 2018
HAMDEN, Conn. — Ruth H. (Fernandes) Hall, 92, of Hamden, Conn., formerly of North Reading, Mass., passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Hamden Health Care Center.
Born in Lowell, July 31, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Joseph V. and Julia (Gouveia) Fernandes. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1944 and Lowell Commercial College in 1946, where she also taught for several years. Later, she worked at Lowell Gas Company, and for many years, as a secretary at Dawson-McDonald Co., Inc. in Wilmington, until her retirement.
She was a 50-year resident of North Reading and an ever-present figure at her daughters’ concerts, plays and band competitions.
Ruth loved music and was known for her beautiful soprano voice. She was a frequent soloist at First Congregational Church in Lowell and Union Congregational Church in North Reading, where she also sang in the choir. She was also a member of the Jubilaires and a founding member of the North Reading Choral Society. Ruth loved to attend the opera and visit museums, and was always up for a trip to New York for a musical. She was also an avid knitter, crafter, and gardener, and a talented, meticulous seamstress.
Ruth is survived by two daughters, Robin Valovich and her husband Jim of Hamden, Conn., and Ruthann Spencer and her husband Keith of Deltona, Fla., a grandson, Steven D. Giarratani of Hamden, Conn., a sister, Mary J. Dilworth, and a nephew, Roger Dilworth, both of Hudson, N.H., a niece, Debi Hayes and her husband John, a great-niece, Sarah Costello and her husband Glen, and a great-great-niece, Addison Costello, all of Litchfield, N.H. She also leaves many cousins and close family friends.
Friends will be received at the Morse-Bayliss Funeral Home, 122 Princeton Boulevard, Lowell, on Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Her funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 10 a.m. Interment in Edson Cemetery, Lowell. Friends who wish may make memorial donations in her name to the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Connecticut District, 162 High Meadow Rd., Southbury, CT 06488-2620. Funeral Director, Frederick W. Healy. Please visit Ruth’s memorial tribute at www.morsebaylissfuneralhome.com.
