Passages

L-R: Ruth P. Boothby, Jean E. Goodwin

Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy 

Ruth P. Boothby, 95, of Sanford died peacefully on Feb. 8, 2024, at Summer Commons. She was born on March 8, 1928, in Shapleigh to Orrin and Laura (Mann) Pillsbury. She graduated from Sanford High School and Gorham State Teachers College. She was a 2nd grade teacher in Sanford for many years. The farm in Shapleigh where Ruth lived most of her life and where Ruth and Harry raised their family was dear to her heart. Her grandparents, Albert and Hattie Mann, purchased the farm in 1885. Ruth placed a deeded conservation easement on the farm in 2006 so that it would be a farm forever, free from development. Ruth was a lifelong learner, avid reader, and respected educator. She had a strong appreciation for music and played the piano and sang. In her free time, she enjoyed braiding rugs, quilting, sewing, and knitting. Surviving are her children, Carol Boothby, Sandra Lee, Daniel Boothby, Kathy Boothby, Sue Ellen Gendron and sister Genola Lathrop, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband E. Harry Boothby and son Randy Boothby. Memorial services were held on Thursday, Feb. 22, at the First Baptist Church in Shapleigh. The burial of the cremated remains will be private at the Boothby Family Cemetery. For her full obituary, click here.  

Jean E. Goodwin, 75, of Portland and formerly of Springvale, died Wednesday Jan. 3, 2024 in Portland. She was born in Norwood, Mass., on Nov. 26, 1948, the daughter of Kenneth and Louise Leavitt. She grew up around Norwood and attended high school there. She went on to attend college in Prescott, Arizona. She worked as a teacher and a librarian, eventually retiring from the Sanford School System. Jean was married to Richard Goodwin until his passing in 2017. She enjoyed traveling with Richard, spending time at the beach, singing and dancing to music and spending time with her family. She is survived by her son, David Goodwin and his wife Brandi of Limerick and her grandchildren, Kira and Trevor Goodwin. Jean was always so kind, generous, selfless and loving and will be greatly missed. A niche-front placing of Jean will occur at later date at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery.  For her full obituary, click here.