Ruth (Stewart) Huff

Ipswich -  The family of Ruth S. Huff of Ipswich, with heavy hearts, announces the passing of their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Ruth was the devoted wife and widow of Donald E. Huff, the popular Ipswich teacher and school librarian for the Winthrop and Doyon Schools.

Born in East Rochester, NH in 1930, she was the daughter of Lloyd J. and Maude (Adams) Stewart.  With the Depression behind her, she stayed true to the lessons taught of making the most of what you have and wasting nothing.  She grew up a devoted Christian, played piano at her church and was an avid birdwatcher.  As a young woman, she kept a bit of a dream of becoming a minister's wife.  She attended Houghton College in NY for one year and met her future husband, a theology student studying to be a minister.  They married in 1951. She and Don devoted their lives to the family that followed.  It would have been impossible to be more selflessly dedicated to her children and their livelihoods.  Ruth was genuinely and passionately committed to putting others before herself.

To complete her husband's college education, their path took them and their growing family from NY State to Pennsylvania to Massachusetts with a few stops in between.  Finally settling in Ipswich in the early 60's, she kept a quiet profile behind her husband's emerging teaching/librarian career.  And then, that "minister's wife" dream came to an end when Don and Ruth converted to Catholicism in 1966.  They became active members of the St. Joseph Parish and subsequently Our Lady of Hope Parish in Ipswich, Mass. 

Ruth will be remembered by friends and family for being the kindest and sweetest woman they knew.  She was a dedicated letter-writer and remembered friends' and relatives’ birthdays by sending cards as if it was the most important tradition she was compelled to keep.  (And they were always adorned with stickers!)

She was committed to donating regularly to several charities even when the amount she sent was only $5.  She adored the Celtics, the Red Sox and watching the Olympic Games.  In the 1990's, family trips took her to multiple drum and bugle corps shows around the Northeast USA which she thoroughly enjoyed. 

Her son, Douglas observed, "My mother was super-dedicated to her children and grandson.  She was always available to listen to us and she went the extra mile to support us.  She drove me on my Sunday paper route duty, she came to my track meets, she gave me countless $20 bills when I was in college, she wrote 100 letters to me when I worked in Japan, and she shipped some 50 boxes!  How can one ever recuperate after the loss of such a loving mother?  The healing process may take the rest of my life."

Her spirit to keep her independence, to keep up her routine and livelihood into her octogenarian years was inspirational.  She always wanted to be able to "do it herself".  God had other plans for her.  The good work He started in her was definitely carried on to completion.  She never lost her faith despite the physical difficulties of these last few years. 

She was predeceased by her brother, Glenn W. Stewart and his wife Charlotte of Milton NH; her sister Marguerite and husband, Lester W. Hurd of East Rochester NH and nephew Stewart W. Hurd of Maine. 

Ruth is survived by her four children, Constance Huff and Margaret Huff of Ipswich, Kathryn Huff of San Diego, CA and son, Douglas Huff, currently living and teaching in Macas, Ecuador; her grandson, Michael George and his wife, Anjali of Palatine IL, and their two sons, Ruth's great-grandchildren, Milan and Neel; a nephew, Carlton Hurd and his wife Joyce of Woodstock, VT. 

Ruth’s family extends their gratefulness and thanks to the caregiving teams and medical personnel that provided care above and beyond, especially to Michelle Spadafora and Ellie Southwick of Caregiver Homes, to the compassionate staff of Care Dimensions, and especially Dr. Aimee Hromadka and her amazing nurses. Also special thanks to our dear friends who have reached out to Mom over the years with cards and texts and photos that always succeeded in cheering her.  

A funeral mass will be held Thursday, November 12th at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 1 Pineswamp Road, Ipswich MA.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions all attending the Mass must wear a facial covering, follow social distancing and are requested to not come into physical contact with the family.

There will be no visiting hours.

Burial will be private at a later date.

Please omit flowers - per the family's request - and if you should choose to make a donation in Ruth's name to her favorite charity, please send it to: Food For The Poor, Inc., 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073 or donate online at www.foodforthepoor.org

Arrangements are under the direction of the Morris Funeral Home of Ipswich.  To send a letter of condolence to Ruth’s family please go to:  MorrisFH.com .