Ruth Owens Merriman88, passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH. She had been a resident at the Edgewood Centre in Portsmouth NH for six years.

Ruth was born on March 13, 1927 in South Poultney, Vermont, the daughter of Harry Owens and Sarah Roberts Owens. She graduated from Poultney High School in 1945 and attended Castleton State Teachers College and Rutgers University. She married Donald E. Merriman in 1947. They divorced in 1967.

A longtime resident of Portsmouth, Ruth was employed for many years at Portsmouth Hospital and retired in 1989. She then worked for several years at Strawberry Banke Museum. Ruth also opened her home to many people over the years, offering hospitality and lasting friendship.

She was predeceased by her parents and by her siblings Evelyn Williams, Florence Donovan, Hugh Edwards, Richard Edwards, Lydia Fox, Allen Owens and Robert Owens.

She is survived by her children Teresa Carpenter and husband Robin of Hanover NH, and Thomas Merriman and wife Lisa of North Sandwich NH; by three grandchildren Hannah Parnell and husband Stuart of Tempe Arizona, Jacob Merriman of San Diego California, and Abigail Carpenter of Hanover New Hampshire; and by three great-grandchildren, Spencer Parnell, Colby Parnell and Claire Ruth Parnell. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at the Poultney (Vermont) Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on June 1st. Arrangements are under the care of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover NH.

Ruth was proud of her Welsh heritage, with many forebears in the Welsh slate community of western Vermont. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Slate Valley Museum, 17 Water Street, Granville NY 12832.