Ruth M. Ireland, 93, of Brunswick, passed away peacefully during the night at Bella Point Freeport on November 21, 2019. She was surrounded by family, hospice and Bella staff during the entire day preceding her death.

Ruth was the 3rd child (of 5) of Howard Marsh and Ruth (Coburn) Marsh, commercial florists in Auburn. She attended schools in Auburn and lived and worked in Boston for 6 years in the 50’s. She married Richard Ireland in 1958 and established roots in Brunswick, where she lived for 61 years.

Like many in her family, Ruth was an avid craftsperson and was especially known for her beautiful and astonishingly speedily knitted creations, in particular her Icelandic sweaters. She was one of the early founders and active members of a Bath/Brunswick craft cooperative.

Ruth loved her social life. Any given trip to town would encompass chatting it up with a dozen or more people, both friends and casual acquaintances. She had an extrovert’s penchant for remembering every face and name, even after years of not seeing one another. Young people she met were especially moved upon meeting an older person who would listen to their stories with complete openness and without judgment.

As an extension of her creative spirit, Ruth was a creative arts week instructor for 25 years at Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop. More than any other place, camp stirred her spirit and deeply nourished her soul. She loved teaching crafts to the young campers but her greatest gift was in getting them to open up about themselves. As she requested, a memorial will be held at Mechuwana in 2020.

Ruth’s final months were greatly enhanced by a deep and growing connection with her granddaughter, Marieke Giasson, who spent many hours assisting with medical and emotional care as well as pragmatic daily affairs. The family is deeply grateful for the gift of Marieke’s profound care and support.

Ruth is survived by her four children, Scott Gaiason and his wife, Carolynn; Mark Ireland and his wife, Lisa Tessler; David Sprague and his wife, Daphne; and Barbara Fenton; and by eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and sister, Connie Brann; and her dear friend Jeff Zabik, who Ruth loved as a family member.

A gathering of remembrance for Ruth will be held at Morrell Meeting Room at the Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick on Saturday, November 30, 2019. Please bring memories and stories to share from 11:30-12:30. A reception and visiting with light refreshments will follow, until 2.

Memorial donations can be made to Camp Mechuwana and/or the Midcoast Humane Society.