Sr. Ruth Babineau, DHS
1923 – 2011
Sister Ruth Babineau, DHS, 88, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit died on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Holy Spirit Health Care Center where she has been in residence since 1999.
Sister Ruth was born on December 14, 1923 in Palmer, MA, the daughter of the late Arthur and Alexina (Plouffe) Babineau. She entered religious life in 1940 and made her religious profession on August 20, 1945 at the Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam, CT. She was then known as Sr. Jeanne Arthur.
Early in her religious life Sr. Ruth taught in elementary schools in Putnam, CT; Leominster, MA; Pittsfield, MA; and in Bridgeport, CT. She also served as dietician at Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam and at St. Clare Home, Newport, RI. In 1978, Sr. Ruth served as receptionist at the Provincial House until her retirement in 1982.
Survivors include three brothers: Rev. Alexis Babineau, A.A. of Worcester, MA; Raymond Babineau of Belchertown, MA; and Joseph Babineau of Boynton Beach, FL; one sister, Marguerite Lussier of Charlton, NY and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grand-nephews.
Calling hours at the Holy Spirit Provincial House chapel will be on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7: 15 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 in the Provincial House Chapel at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Putnam, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St. Putnam, CT. 06260. The Gilman Funeral Home has been entrusted with her arrangements. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com
Mark Babineau
Sister Ruth was always fun to be with. We enjoyed her many crafts from needlepoint, to crochet, to making barley candy, as they would appear as gifts for Christmas. She touched a lot of people during her lifetime and I am sure she will be missed by others as much, or more, as by us. We know she is with the Lord now after a lifelong devotion in his service.
Thomas Babineau
You may have known her as Sister Jeanne Arthur and later as Sister Ruth, but to me she was always “Ma Tante Soeur”. I have many fond memories of visiting her in Leominster and Pittsfield, she would visit with us in her classroom. We would always bring her her own bag of State Line Potato Chips. I have a favorite picture of her holding me as a two year old – surrounding me by her all white habit.
Ma Tante Soeur you will always be remembered in my prayers.
May you rest in Peace!