With sadness we share the news of the death of Ruth A. (Murphy) Gadbois, 84, on January 17, 2025. She was the mother of the Rev. Paula Toland of St. Stephen’s, Millburn. Ruth passed peacefully in her home, having lived well for more than a year after a cancer diagnosis. Her husband of 43 years, Ronald L. Gadbois and children were with her.
In addition to her husband, her daughter Paula and Paula’s husband Ron, Ruth is survived by her children Brian Bloomfield and his wife, Judy, and Bethe Sullivan and her partner, Darren Pinto; a brother, Timothy Murphy and his wife, Charlene; a sister, Maureen Percuoco and her husband, Tom; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren, one of whom meets her in heaven; many nieces and nephews; and a sister by choice, Carrie Gadbois. Her son Mark predeceased her.
Ruth worked in Special Education, starting as a teacher in the juvenile justice system before accepting a position as a Learning Disabilities teacher in the Worcester Public Schools, where she retired as Director of Special Education in 2000, after a 27-year tenure. She wasn’t quite ready to fully retire so she accepted the invitation to be the Education Director of the Central Mass Collaborative and also did consulting for the Webster Public Schools and the League of Urban Educators.
Ruth loved to travel and went on many adventures with her husband, exploring all ends of the United States in their motorhome; taking countless international cruises and camping all over the world, including Australia and New Zealand. She and Ron traveled as explorers, focusing on getting to know people as well as places and often visiting places off the beaten track. She was one of the relative few people who can say they have visited all seven continents. She was filled with joy that her travels allowed her to make friends with people all over the world, relationships she treasured.
Ruth loved walking along Matunuck Beach, kayaking, researching her family genealogy, and she was an avid reader. She was an active member of St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea in Narragansett, RI, where she was a Eucharistic Visitor and participated in Bible study and other ministries. Her greatest love was her family and she was never happier than when she was spending time at home with them. Her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the occasional friend of theirs, will cherish always their time with Mem and Pep.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 24th from 4-7 PM at Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Hammond Street, Worcester, MA.
Ruth’s funeral will be held on Saturday, January 25 at 11 AM, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 72 Central Street, Narragansett, RI. Burial will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover, NH at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care. Gifts may be made online at hopehealthco.org, by phone to (401) 415-4206, or by mail to 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI, 02904, Attn: philanthropy.
Father of all, we pray to you for Ruth, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
