Ruth Hyde Harvie87, died after a period of failing health, on October 3rd at Kendal at Hanover.

Ruth was born in Troy, NY on November 20, 1928, the daughter of Ruth Hyde and Peter Lyons Harvie. She attended Emma Willard School and graduated from Russell Sage College. She received her master's degree from Paterson State College and entered the teaching profession while raising four children. Ruth taught in the Montclair, and Verona New Jersey schools, and upon her move to Vermont in 1973, taught English at Green Mountain Union High School in Chester until her retirement in 1989. Before moving to Kendal in 2009 Ruth had lived in Kinnelon and Montclair, New Jersey, and Chester and Manchester, Vermont. She treasured a lifetime of summers at the family camp, "Woodchuck", on Sherman Lake in the Adirondacks.

Ruth was known as a high-energy person who had many interests. She was an avid tennis player, and children in youth sports programs will remember her tireless instruction. In New Jersey she never missed an opportunity to become involved in community theatre, both on and off the stage. Later in life she was a dedicated board member of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

Antique collecting and selling were a life-long interest, and her beloved Glen Finert Farm in Chester included a barn overflowing with antiques. Her homes always included beautifully maintained gardens and grounds. Vegetables from her Glen Finert Farm garden were on the menu in fine area restaurants. At Kendal in she continued actively gardening at the Kendal Community Gardens.

Ruth was an avid traveler, a hobby that began later in life, but she managed to visit 97 countries and remote locations. She had friends all over the world, many made at the bed and breakfast that she operated in her home in Chester. Music was a lifelong interest; Ruth played several instruments and loved playing her trumpet with the Mad Bavarian Band and the Grafton Cornet Band until just a few years ago.

Politics were an abiding interest for Ruth. She was a dedicated Republican, working hard to support local candidates from her home in Kinnelon, NJ. She served as a Windsor County State Senator in Vermont for the 1995-96 session.

Her sister Harriet Harvie Seymour, and brother Peter Lyons Harvie predeceased Ruth. She is survived by her sister Diana Harvie Maher of Rio de Janerio, daughter Heidi Porter Webster, of Norwich, sons Harvie Porter and wife Susan of Randolph, Walter Porter and wife Bonnie of Brentwood, NH, Jeb Porter of Belmont, and step children Leigh Garoni of Hackensack, NJ and Christine Garoni Petrizzo of Fort Myers, FL. She was most delighted with her grandchildren, Maggie Webster Gray, Graham Webster, Libby Webster Ratico, David Porter, Katie Porter, Emily Porter, Ashley Porter Polson, Jamieson Porter and Jenny Porter, along with 4 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the medical and nursing staff at Kendal for their loving and compassionate care.

A memorial service with reception to follow will be held on Monday October 10th at 3:00 at the Norwich Congregational Church. Donations in Ruth's memory may be made to the Grafton Cornet Band, PO Box 82, Grafton, VT 05146.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.