WALDOBORO — Ruth Bernadine Hoffses, 74, passed away peacefully at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta Aug. 29, 2013. She wished to thank all who visited, sent her cards, flowers and well wishes.

Ruth was born June 24, 1939, in Damariscotta to Fred and Grace Keene. She was the third of the five "Keene Girls" who all grew up in Bremen. She graduated from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle in 1958.

Ruth worked briefly at Round Top Ice Cream in Damariscotta and then was employed at G.T.E. Sylvania for approximately 11 years. She later worked as a family service coordinator for the Waldoboro Head Start program and thoroughly enjoyed working with children. She retired from Pen Bay Medical Center as a mental health worker in the PARC unit in 2004.

Ruth fully enjoyed her retirement and pursued her love of her grandchildren, family, arts and crafts, home decorating, gardening, reading, writing and counted cross-stitch with a passion. She was a talented artist and craftsperson, and a remarkable writer who generously shared this gift with close family and friends. She always was a mother to her children, but also to others outside the immediate family. She opened her heart and home to any in need. She was a genuinely loving soul who will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Ruth is predeceased by a daughter, Eleanor Jean Hoffses; her parents; her sisters, Mary Glaude and Katherine Simmons; and by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Hoffses.

She is survived by her daughter, Gina Hoffses and her partner, Elizabeth Foley, of Waldoboro; her sons, Jerome Hoffses Jr. of Waldoboro, and Scott Hoffses and his partner, Lincoln Millett, of Windham; her sisters, Brenda Simmons of Waldoboro and Susan Hammond of Wiscasset; her grandchildren, Ashley Nelson and her husband, Mike, of Rockland, Travis Hoffses of Waldoboro, Autumn Hoffses of St. George, and Haley Hoffses and Karl Hoffses, both of Waldoboro

A private family gathering will be held to celebrate Ruth's life.

Ruth wished to thank the staff at Miles Memorial Hospital for their wonderful care, patience and kindness. Contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to Miles Home Health Hospice, Miles Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Waldoboro. You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories page online at the funeral home.