YORK – Ruby H. Moulton Gilchrest, 77, of 66 Cider Hill Road, beloved by all who knew her, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Monday, Dec. 19, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Perched at the base of Cider Hill on the banks of the York River, Ruby lived in her little white house for most of her adult life. An avid outdoorswoman, Ruby could be seen regularly walking the loop around Cider Hill. In her love of nature, Ruby nurtured her flower gardens, personally keeping her yard flooded with color and fragrance.

In years past, Ruby and her late husband, Ged, would take their small green camper and head to northern Maine. Ruby was an avid fly fisher and enjoyed camping, hiking and exploring the beauty of Maine’s wilderness. They would often return with crates of hand-raked blueberries and tales of moose and birds that flew overhead.

However, nothing gave her quite as much pleasure as her backyard birds. Ruby’s feeders were filled regularly, and she could often be seen shooing away pesky squirrels that attempted to interfere with her birds.

The colors of the birds and flowers fascinated Ruby and led to a passion for art, which she studied for several years. She was a talented sketcher and watercolor artist. Her floral artwork and lighthouses are displayed in homes throughout Maine.

Ruby was very proud of her family’s Maine roots, dating back to the early 1600s. She had compiled mounds of information and was extremely knowledgeable regarding her Scottish and English family heritage.

Prior to her illness, Ruby was a strong and vital woman. She possessed integrity and was a caring listener and observer. Ruby was someone you were simply comfortable being around.

She dearly loved and was dearly loved by her three children, Thomas H. Gilchrest of Topsham, Roby L. Gilchrest of Harmony and Jean “Beanie” Hosey of Cape Neddick; a brother, Paul E. Moulton of Skowhegan; a sister, Ethel Berger of York; six grandchildren, Ian Gilchrest, Sarah Bunnit, Travis Hosey, Shannon Hosey, Lisa Gilchrest and Kevin Gilchrest; and her darling great-granddaughter, Laila Bunnit.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gerald H. Gilchrest; a sister, Mary Mahoney; and four brothers, David, Frank, Walter and Charles Moulton.

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