1920 – 2015

SCARBOROUGH — With the same grace and dignity that she exhibited throughout her life, Ruth Wiles, beloved mother of Kathryn Wiles Stevens and Thomas Wiles, passed from this life to the next on Monday, Oct. 19, three weeks shy of her 95th birthday.

Ruth was born in Roxbury on Nov. 10, 1920, the daughter of George and Marguerite Howe. She graduated from Norway High School and Maine General Hospital (now Maine Medical Center).

On May 20, 1945, she married James F. “Jake” Wiles. They had four children, Timothy, Kathryn, Thomas and Tristam. Ruth was much in demand as a nurse during the 1950s. She worked in the obstetrics ward at Stephens Memorial Hospital, where she was in attendance at the birth of many local people. Families also frequently requested her for private-duty nursing. She has always been a wonderful caregiver and helped many people through illnesses during her nursing career.

In 1963, Ruth became the first school nurse of Oxford Hills School Administrative District 17. She was school nurse for 10 years, retiring in 1973. Jim had accepted an engineering teaching position at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, where she and Jim lived until his retirement in 1981.

Ruth and Jim enjoyed their retirement years at their home in Norway, until Jim’s death in 2000 after 55 years of marriage. Following Jim’s death, Ruth moved to Piper Shores in Scarborough. She immediately made a number of friends and kept active with social activities. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. Ruth continued traveling with her family into her 90s, including a trip to Alaska and many cruises to the Caribbean.

In addition to her husband, Ruth was predeceased by two beloved sons, Tristam in 1981, and Timothy in 2003; and her sister, Barbara Thomas in 1981.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn Stevens, and son-in-law, James, of Scarborough, and grandson, Chancellor Peterson of New York, N.Y.; her son, Thomas Wiles, and daughter-in-law, Deborah, of Oxford; her daughter-in-law, Mary McGann, and grandson, David Wiles, of Bloomington, Ind.; and many close nieces, nephews and friends.

Online condolences may be shared at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

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