VINALHAVEN — Ruth Evelyn Ames, 98, died Sept. 8, 2015, at the Sussman House in Rockport after several days of declining health. Born in Vinalhaven on April 16, 1917, she was the daughter of Richard Condon and Laverne Violet (Walls) Young.

She grew up on Vinalhaven and attended school there. On December 6, 1933, she married Clyde E. Ames.

An excellent cook her entire life, Ruth ran The Sea Breeze Restaurant, where she was well known for her delicious crab rolls, for 24 years until 1972. Ruth went lobstering with her grandson, Danny, in an outboard motor boat for several years. On days that fishermen stayed ashore because of the weather, they gathered at Ruth's house to talk about local news and enjoyed something good to eat.

Ruth loved to cook for her family, always making sure that she prepared a favorite family dish every week. Not afraid of hard work, Ruth also made pot heads and worked on the family boat wharf until she was in her 80s, bailing and salting bait for the family fishermen. Ruth had been making bait bags on a special wood net stand made by her brother 60-70 years ago until a month before her death.

She enjoyed attending church at the Pleasant River Chapel and insisted on keeping active through working and cooking until the last few weeks of her life.

She was predeceased by her husband, Clyde E. Ames, who died Nov. 29, 1997; and four brothers. Surviving is her son, Addison Ames Sr.; four grandchildren, Donald C. Ames and his wife, Jeanne Bineau, Addison W. Ames Jr., Diane Olson and her husband, Mark, and Daniel Ames and his wife, Linda Whittington; three great-grandchildren, Elijah Ames, Owen Williams and Hilary Rairdon and her husband, Ryan; one great great-grandchild, Bentley Eaton; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Islands Community Medical Center, the Vinalhaven Public Library or to the Pleasant River Chapel.

A private graveside service will be held at Bay View Cemetery. A memorial service will held Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11:30 a.m. at Ames Wharf at City Point.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service.