Kathie M. Ruth

Lancaster, NH - Early on May 15, 2020 Kathie M. Ruth, 63, of Lancaster passed away peacefully at her home following her battle with cancer, her family by her side. Kathie was born in Lancaster on February 5, 1957 to Neil and Patricia (Perkins) Woodward and grew up in Groveton, where she was educated in the Groveton School System, graduating from high school in 1975. Following high school, Kathie and her cousin Julie made a VW bus road trip to the west coast, and she later lived for a time with her family in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kathie returned home to Groveton in the spring of 1977, where she met her future husband, Brian Ruth. One thing led to another, and on April 1, 1978 they were married in the Groveton Methodist Church. Kathie and Brian lived for a time in Lancaster, and in 1979 they moved to Mexico, Maine where Brian began work with the Boise Cascade Paper Group in neighboring Rumford. Over the years they also lived in Nottingham, NH and Somers, CT. In December 1992, Kathie and Brian purchased property tucked into a Lancaster corner of the White Mountain National Forest, built a house there in 2000, and made it their home from 2001 until Kathie's passing. Kathie's interests were varied. Over the years, she developed her cooking, home decorating, and gardening skills, all of which enhanced the enjoyment of family and friends who frequently visited. In addition, she was a lover of animals and over the years became the doting "Mum" to various dogs and cats - all adopted through animal shelters. Kathie was also a dedicated lover of the outdoors, appreciating all that nature had to offer. She thrilled at the beauty of the seasons and marveled at the wildlife that shared the area around her home. While she loved it all, it was birds that caught her interest most. Viewing nature through Kathie's eyes seemed to spark your interest and raise your awareness of its beauty and wonder. Kathie also gave of herself to help others. Whether it be volunteering at an animal shelter, cooking at a Senior Meals program, donating to her favorite charities, or simply assisting people in need, Kathie pitched in and did her part. Kathie enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, and backcountry skiing. Kathie hiked and skied many trails and rode many miles throughout various parts of the country, including several multi-day tours. Perhaps her most unusual bicycling experience occurred about 20 years ago, when Kathie participated in the 40-mile New York City 5 Boro Bike Tour with some 25,000 other cyclists. Not your typical day in the saddle. Along the way, she purchased a wicker basket fitted with a wire cover that was designed to mount on bicycle handlebars. Through this arrangement, Kathie shared thousands of miles touring with her beloved dog Molly, who rode in the basket, expertly leaning left or right with every turn. (Kathie used to joke that is was fortunate Molly was a Chihuahua mixed breed, rather than a Great Dane or Saint Bernard.) Having discovered Molly's love of cycling, Kathie introduced her to kayaking by outfitting Molly with a personal flotation device and attaching a foam pad to the kayak deck upon which the little dog alternately sat, stood, lay - and on occasion - held on for dear life. On the rare times Molly fell into the water, the PFD was conveniently equipped with straps on the back for easy retrieval. Over the years, Kathie and her dogs paddled a variety of rivers, streams, lakes and ponds near home and farther away. In recent years, Osa and Sunny joined Kathie and Brian for many paddling outings on East Grand Lake near their camp in Orient, ME. Some years ago, Molly and Mandy explored the shoreline of Hatteras Island with Kathie and Brian, riding the springtime winds and waves of Pamlico Sound. The quotation from Shakespeare's" A Midsummer Night's Dream" printed beneath Kathie's 1975 high school yearbook picture - "Though she be but little, she is fierce," proved to be quite prescient. Kathie turned out to be fiercely loyal, fiercely honest, fiercely kind, fiercely generous, and fiercely strong - all qualities that would serve her well throughout her life and during her illness. Kathie is survived by her husband Brian Ruth; her mother Patricia Woodward; her sisters Neila (Mark) Brownstein, and Marianne (Allen) Bouthillier; her brothers Kirby (Mylinda) Woodward, and Stephen Woodward; her nieces and nephews; Tegan Woodward, Spencer Woodward, Megan Cannon, Ryan Cannon, and Hannah Brownstein; as well as many cousins and friends located around the country. She was predeceased by her sister, Donna Woodward, in 1976; her father, Neil Woodward, in 1992; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Per Kathie's request, there will be no public visitation or funeral. However, a celebration of her life will be planned for some future time. Those wishing to honor Kathie's memory may send a donation to North Country Home Care and Hospice Agency (536 Cottage Street, Littleton NH, 03561), which provided compassionate and professional care during Kathie's final days, or alternatively, to a charity of one's choice. In the future, should you spy a tiny bird picking through the grass or flitting through the leaves of a tree in search of a small insect or seed, or catch the red flash of a hummingbird darting over a field or garden working the flower blossoms for nectar, or spot a small dog proudly prancing along at the end of its owner's leash, you might think of Kathie. If you do, she would be fiercely pleased and proud for that to become her legacy.

Kathie M. Ruth

February 5, 1957 - May 15, 2020