Ruth Joan Hartford

Baileyville – Ruth Joan Hartford, 84, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2011 at her granddaughter’s home in Baileyville. Ruth was born in Calais on January 22, 1927, daughter of the late Edward and Louise (Barnard) Wheelock. She graduated from Calais Academy, Class of 1944. Ruth worked in various stores in the Calais area until she married Arnold “Bud” Hartford on December 3, 1946 in Princeton. She raised her children and then worked for Algars Cleaners, as well as seasonal work in the local blueberry factories and making wreaths. Ruth was a member of People’s United Methodist Church in Baileyville and the First Baptist Church in Calais. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards, knitting, crocheting, traveling to Las Vegas, and spending quality time with her family. In addition to her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her husband Arnold; seven brothers; five sisters; and an infant great-grandson Jacob Papke. Surviving are her two daughters, Joan McLean and her husband Michael of Calais, and Jean Neddeau and her husband Dennis of Baileyville; a sister Muriel “Molly” MacArthur of Calais; seven grandchildren, Roger Lane and his wife Shirley of Baileyville, Beth Olsson and her husband Jason of Baileyville, Bonnie Stewart and her husband Todd of Robbinston, Lindsey Martin and her husband Jared of Augusta, John Neddeau of Princeton, Sherri Emery and her husband Michael of Baileyville, and Bette Tomah and her husband Dennis Jr. of Baileyville; sixteen great-grandchildren, Robert and James Lane, Jessica and Jordyn Olsson, Christopher, Daniel and Joshua Stewart, Kyle Martin, Aaron, William and Heidi Neddeau, Michael and James “JD” McLaughlin, Keith Turner, Alexandra Papke and Dennis Tomah III; and several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Baring Cemetery.