BRUNSWICK – Ruby Marie Springer, 96, died Sunday, June 7, at Parkview Adventist Medical Center.

She was born in Wellington, May 31, 1913, the daughter of Charles and Miriam Oikle Faulkner. She was married to John A. Springer in Monmouth in 1932. He died in 1994. They lived most of their lives in Monmouth, until retiring and moving to Brunswick in 1992 to be close to their daughter and her family.

She was a caring person, who during World War II, when money and ration was short in her neighborhood, would feed children waiting for the school bus and those moving through her neighborhood. She loved to cook and share with others. She took in many foster children.

She was a member of the Helping Hand Society in Monmouth and was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She spent many years as director of community services at the Auburn SDA Church and after her move to Brunswick continued working at the Brunswick SDA Community Services until age 91, when she could no longer go to the center, but did mending at home. A devoted Christian, she believed her purpose in life was to help others.

She was employed as a housekeeper at Bates College for 10 years before working for Dr. Edward Reeves and his family for 12 years, retiring at age 62. She then devoted her time to her church, gardening, baking and enjoying her family. In her early years, she enjoyed fishing with her husband at Tacoma Lakes.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Gowell of Brunswick and her husband, Perley; four grandchildren, Kelli Springer, Jeffery Gowell, Julie Gowell and Christopher Gowell; three great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Gabrielle and Guinevere; two foster children, Clayton Cotton of New Hampshire, and Edward Lawton of Sun City, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by 12 brothers and sisters.

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