LEWISTON — Ruth A. Bell, 76, of Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, died Wednesday, Dec. 29, at Central Maine Medical Center after a long illness.

She was born in Lewiston on July 18, 1934, a daughter of the late James and Mary (McCarthy) Donahue. She was educated in Auburn and graduated from Edward Little High School, Class of 1952. Ruth moved to Texas in 1954 where she raised her two daughters. In 1978, she moved to Connecticut to help take care of her mother. After her mother passed in 1985, she moved back to Maine where she worked for Ward Brothers and The Department of Human Services.

Ruth was a member of St. Michaels Church, Eastern Star and the Girl Scouts of America which she stayed very active in until she fell ill. She enjoyed crafts, singing in the choir and loved family gatherings. She also enjoyed adding to her apple collectibles.

She leaves her two daughters, Kathie Smiley and her husband, Sam, of Mayflower Ark., and Brenda Lawson and her husband, Dave, of Flower Mound, Texas; five grandchildren, Sarah and Casey Lawson of Flower Mound, Jeremy Smiley and wife, Suzanne, Kathleen and Ben Smiley, all of Conway Ark.; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two brothers, James “Bud” Donahue and Roger Donahue; and two sisters, Margaret Roy and Jane DerBoghosian.