BOSTON — Ruth Ellen Hricko, 65, of Minot, beloved wife of Michael and mother of Emily, Carolyn and Victoria, died peacefully Saturday, April 8, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, with her loving family by her side.

“Ruthie” was born in Warwick, R.I., on Jan. 12, 1952, daughter of the late Harold and Inez (Rathbun) Hampson. She was one of 16 siblings, and is survived by her sisters, Inez Craig, Annie Davis, Linda Hampson Smedley, Carol Vislocky and Judy Robinson; brother, Charlie Hampson; and many nieces and nephews. Her family will remember her as a mother, wife, sister and aunt who would do anything for her family.

Ruthie spent her early childhood in Coventry, R.I., and moved to New City, New York, graduating from Clarkstown High School in 1970. She met her future husband in Colorado and returned to the East Coast on the back of his motorcycle — the first of many road trips they would enjoy together, including a 9,000-mile cross-country ride through the U.S. and Canada in 2015. The two relocated to Minot in 1980, where they lived together for 37 years. Ruthie worked as a court stenographer for the Maine Superior Court and traveled extensively throughout the state, visiting most of Maine’s county seats. She was a Girl Scout leader, farm team girls’ softball coach, and president of the Minot-Hebron Athletic Association.

She cherished the peace and quiet of the Maine woods on family camping trips to Baxter State Park, and at her family’s cabin on North Twin Lake. She loved to snowshoe and snowmobile with her husband in the winter, or sit by the water, with a book and her devoted dogs by her side. Later in life, she became a world traveler, visiting Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Scotland, Switzerland, France and Italy. She loved the ocean, and celebrated warm summer weeks on the Maine coast at Bailey Island.

She was a wonderful mother who raised her daughters to appreciate life’s small pleasures, the importance of family and hard work. She took enormous pride in her children’s accomplishments, graduations and weddings and welcomed her daughters’ partners into her family like her own sons. Ruthie will always be remembered for her unconditional generosity, compassion and warmth. She was the gentle heart of every room she entered.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Ruth E. Hricko