Ruth E. Ford, a lifelong resident of Boston, passed away on Monday, 15 July 2024. She was born on 23 February 1925 in Boston, her parents immigrants to the U.S. from the British West Indies -- her father from Barbados and her mother from Jamaica.

Ruth's father was a cook but her mother had been an educator in the West Indies. Being very close to her made Ruth very studious. She was an honor roll student at Boston's Girl's High. She went on to study at the illustrious Boston Clerical School and graduated in the mid 1940s.

Ruth has the distinction of being the longest serving employee in Massachusetts state government having worked 70+ years. She worked in the Department of Public Health and retired in November 2015 at the age of 90.

Ruth was always a lady and a very active one at that. She enjoyed participating and watching sports. For as long as she was able, she was an avid skier. A champion candlepin bowler, she participated in many leagues and tournaments. A tennis player too she was a founding member of Sportsmen's Tennis and Enrichment Center.