Joanne Ruff Obituary (1930 - 2005)

WINTHROP - Joanne P. 'Jo' Ruff, 75, passed away Easter Sunday, at Winthrop Manor in Winthrop. She was born March 25, 1930, in Rumford, the youngest of six children born to Louis and Matilda (Albert) Pouliot. Educated in Rumford primary schools, she graduated from Portland High School in 1948. Jo returned to Rumford and was employed as a stenographer and a sample clerk with Oxford Paper Co. She married Keith W. Ruff of Rumford on Sept. 18, 1954. The couple later resided in Portland, Yarmouth, Rumford, Calais and Winthrop. Jo did volunteer work over the years and was employed in a Winthrop boutique in the 1980s. She delighted in raising her family and entertaining friends in the various places that she and her husband made their home. She was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters. Jo is survived by her husband, Keith Ruff of Winthrop; her son, Kevin Ruff, and his wife, Miriam, of Englewood, Fla.; her daughters, Rebecca Ruff of Englewood, Fla., Kathleen Turmelle and her husband, Tim, of Manchester, Jennifer St. Hilaire and her husband, David, of Winthrop, Andrea Locklear and her husband, Brandon, of Greenville, N.C., and Suzanne Rice and her husband, Jesse, of East Winthrop; and 11 grandchildren, Rachel Ruff, Kristine Prosser, Paige Wood, Renee, Davy and Luke St. Hilaire, Drew, Jake and Jenna Locklear, and Abbigale and Mattilda Rice. There will be no services at this time. For those who wish, memorial donations in Jo's memory may be made to HealthReach Hospice and Volunteers of Kennebec Valley, MaineGeneral Medical Center, 150 Dresden Avenue, Gardiner 04345 Arrangements are in the care of Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop 04364.