Published in the January 31, 2017 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Ruth E. Derfler, 70, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, died Friday at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
Born in Winchester, March 16, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Helen (Blodgett) Derfler.
Ruth was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1963. She received her bachelor’s degree from New England College and later went on to earn her master’s degree in Education from Worcester State College.
She was a member of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church.
Ruth was employed with the Department of Education and was the Director of High School Equivalency.
Ruth represented Massachusetts on a local, as well as a national level with various adult education organizations.
Ruth was fiercely passionate about all she loved in life. She gave all of herself to being a loving mother and spouse and was a tireless advocate for adult education and special education.
Ruth was the beloved spouse of Christine M. “Chi Chi” Canavan and the loving mother of Louise Elizabeth Canavan and Hannah Marie Canavan. She was the cousin of Ann Blodgett Murphy of Rhode Island and the aunt of Andrew Willand of Wakefield. Ruth is also survived by many other loving family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Derfler O’Neil.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at The Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield on Friday at 10 a.m.
Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
