Obituary of Ruth Elizabeth Parker

Ruth Elizabeth Parker, 87, was born in Peterborough, NH on September 25, 1934. She was the daughter of Andrew L. and Charlotte Marie (Thompson) Putney. Ruth grew up in Peterborough and graduated from Peterborough High School in 1952. After high school, she attended the Boston Museum School. She was a talented artist and continued drawing and painting throughout her life. She worked as a legal secretary and property manager, and raised a family in Peterborough.

She was a parishioner at All Saints Episcopal Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married Fredrick W. Parker. She also volunteered at the church's Serendipity shop. Sense of community was important to Ruth, she loved Peterborough, and her many friends and neighbors. She volunteered for decades at the polls during elections.

Ruth was most at home on the water, both swimming and boating. She had a natural comfort in a canoe and spent time camping and paddling the rivers of New Hampshire and Maine.

Ruth remained tightly connected to her high school classmates; often taking annual trips with seven of her high school girl friends.

Ruth is survived by her two daughters, Bonnie Cauley-Kallin and Wendy Parker-Burrows, as well as her grandchildren Dylan Cauley and Christine (Cauley) Mapp. Christine has blessed her with 4 great-grandchildren.

Ruth is predeceased by her husband Fredrick Walker Parker, her two brothers Richard Putney and LeRoy Putney, and her son Jay Fredrick Parker.

Ruth spent her final years in Southwest Florida with her daughter Bonnie and passed peacefully in her sleep on April 18, 2022.

Ruth's funeral will take place at The Church of St. Edmund the Martyr on May 17, 2022, at 4 pm and will be available for viewing on St. Edmund's Facebook site.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Edmund's, 327 W. Hickory St., Arcadia Fl 34266, or Desoto Cares Homeless Services, 159 S. Orange Av. Arcadia, Fl. 34266