Published in the September 4, 2015 edition
AMESBURY — Ruth (Iversen) Terry, 89, an Amesbury, resident, formerly of Manchester, N.H. and Winthrop, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Ruth was born at home in Winthrop, one of four children of the late Ingvald and Anna M. (Knudsen) Iversen. Raised and educated in Winthrop, she graduated from Winthrop High School and married her soulmate, Walter Terry, on Oct. 12, 1946 at Our Savior’s Church in East Boston. They shared 60 years of love and devotion until his passing in 2007. Ruth and Walter lived in Winthrop where they raised two children.
Ruth was a strong, hard working woman who was happiest when busy. She believed that her hands were to be used for hard work and brains should be used to figure out how that hard work was to be done. True to her Scandinavian descent, she was known for her famous line “see the hill, take the hill.” With her strong will and sheer determination, she was never idle, always on the lookout for her next home project whether at her house or someone else’s. She loved sweeping, painting, raking, yard work and her personal favorite, doing the dishes.
Ruth was very devoted to her husband, whom she loved spending time with puttering around the house. She loved the holidays and looked forward to the Christmas celebrations in Winthrop every year with her family. She was the proud owner of over 100 Christmas snowmen, each individually named, that adorned every corner of the house for the holidays. Her family was most important in her life especially spending time with her honorary grandchildren. Once a year, she enjoyed spending a weekend in New Hampshire with her honorary granddaughters. She was always willing to help out and was known for simple but good cooking, especially her cakes. In her free time, she loved watching the local Boston sports teams but had little patience for losing. She was a giving and supportive mother and became a doting dog lover later in life to “Lady,” whom she spoiled with treats and sometimes even her own dinner.
Ruth was the beloved wife of the late Walter J. Terry, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Marie T. Baumgartner and her husband John of Amesbury and the late Paul J. Terry. She was the dear sister of the late Gunhilde Sullivan, Willard Iversen and Roy Iversen. She was the cherished “Mom” of Michelle Spadafora and her husband Rob, and “Grandma” of Charris and Caitlyn Spadafora, all of Amesbury. Ruth is remembered by Connie Baumgartner of Amesbury. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Ruth’s life for her funeral service celebrated at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Saturday, Aug. 29. Interment took place in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. For directions or online tribute, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
