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Ruth Goetsch, 97

December 08, 2022

 



 



Ruth Lillian (Bachhelm) Goetsch, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, of Attleboro MA., formerly of Williamstown, MA died on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI at the age of 97 after a brief stay.



Ruth was born in Springfield, IL on October 19, 1925 a daughter of the late Henry & Helene (Baker) Bachhelm. She was predeceased by her husband Henry G. Goetsch in 2012 and a sister, Marjorie (Bachhelm) Crane in 1982. Ruth and Henry were married in Springfield IL on December 28, 1946. She is survived by her son H. Edward Goetsch of Laconia, NH, her son David A. Goetsch of Narragansett, RI and her daughter Caryl Ruth (Goetsch) Johnson of Rockport, MA, as well as 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.



Ruth grew up and attended school in Springfield, IL. After her marriage to Henry they lived in Milwaukee, WI, Madison, WI and Grafton, WI before relocating to Williamstown, MA. In 1960. She more recently relocated to Attleboro, MA to be near her children.



In Wisconsin Ruth was employed as an administrative secretary at the Oscar Meyer Company. In Williamstown she was employed at Spruces Mobile Home Park & the Williamstown Elementary School. She was last employed at North Adams State College as an assistant to the President for 26 years. She was a former Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout den mother, School Committee member for the town of Williamstown, poll worker for the town of Williamstown, and active with the Alzheimer’s Association after her husband’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s’. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of North Adams, MA where she served on many committees and volunteered as a cook at the Berkshire Food Project.



Ruth loved playing the organ, learning to play and read music later in life by taking group lessons in North Adams and Pittsfield on a weekly basis. She traveled to the Big E in West Springfield, MA on several occasions to play at the demonstration booth for Lowry Organs. After relocating to Attleboro she often gave concerts in her apartment at Brookdale Senior Living, both for her immediate neighbors and the adjacent residents of the Alzheimer’s unit.



FUNERAL NOTICE: A service for Ruth at the First Congregational Church of North Adams will be held in the spring. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery. Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes -74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247 is entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of giving flowers the family asks that you donate in her memory to the First Congregational Church of North Adams or to the Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org. To add to the book of memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com




Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
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Our condolences to Ruth's family for their loss. We knew Ruth through our association with the Williamstown Lions Club of which Hank was a member. She was a wonderful person and we were thankful to know her as a friend. May she rest in peace.
from: Thom and Mary Swifton: 12-19-2022

Sending my condolences to the family . She was one of my teachers at Williamstown Elementary school, kind,always happy, and a great teacher. Brings back fond memories. May she rest in peace.
from: Pat(Rhodes)LaValleyon: 12-17-2022

As I was growing up Ruth and Hank's Williamstown home always seemed the best example of a wonderful family environment. It was no surprise that one weekend during my confused teenage years when I suddenly needed a place to unroll my sleeping bag the Goetsches provided one without asking any questions. Later at NASC I could always count on Ruth's smiling face to greet me when I stopped in at the President's office to do business or to just check up on how her kids were doing.
from: Peter Allmakeron: 12-17-2022

Eddie, David and Carol,
I was so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. I’m praying that God brings you comfort and strength. May your memories help you through your most difficult days.

Sue
from: Sue Senecal Clairmont on: 12-17-2022

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