Ruth Gowell Berry left her loving family on April 21, 2021, after a short illness. She was surrounded by her daughters Leisa Knight and April Massey, son-in-law Tim Knight, and granddaughter Jennifer Hutchins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 61 years, Erlon Berry. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Dwight and Flora Gowell and her brother Harry Gowell.

She is survived by her daughters Leisa Knight and son-in-law Tim, daughter April Massey, two granddaughters, 1 great grand-daughter, two great-grandsons, and her brother, Charles Gowell.

She was born in South Paris, Maine, on February 14, 1934...a true Valentine’s baby. She graduated from South Paris High School in 1952. She and Erlon were married on December 24, 1953, and lived their entire married life in Casco, first in Webbs Mill, then on Quaker Ridge and finishing out for over 30 years on Parker Pond.

Ruth was a natural caregiver. She tenderly cared for her husband for over 35 years after he suffered a stroke at the age of 45. In the early years of their marriage, she cared for both his parents through automobile accidents and cancer. She was always there to make pies, beans, or other homemade delights for friends and family in need of church benefits.

Ruth raised her girls while working 30-plus years at the Bridgton Shoe Shop until retiring to care full-time for her husband. Her life’s work was taking care of her family. She was a long-time member of the Casco Sunshine Club, the Casco Vendredi Club, enjoyed her fellowship with the Casco Senior Citizens group, and going to Senior meals and outings. COVID created a huge hole in her life not being able to enjoy the camaraderie of her senior friends.

She loved her granddaughters, Jennifer Hutchins and husband Christian and Marissa Hurley and husband Jason, her great- granddaughter Samantha Donahue and her two great-grandsons, Luke and Owen Hurley. Also, with a little encouragement from her daughters, she started to enjoy annual trips to Texas to get out of the cold Maine weather. Ruth also loved cribbage! No telling how many games were played with Tim Knight! She was an avid puzzler quite often convinced there was a piece missing. Nothing tickled her any more then to sit around the table with all the family playing 31, especially when she won.

She brought joy to all who knew her, and we are all the richer for having her in our life.

A time of memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Hall Funeral Home in Casco. Private family interment will be at the Lakeside Cemetery in Casco.

Please consider a contribution in her memory to Casco Fire & Rescue, 635 Meadow Rd., Casco, ME 04015. Condolences and kindwords may be shared with Ruth’s family on her Tribute Wall atwww.hallfuneralhome.net.