1921 – 2018

AUBURN – Ruth M. Burns, who passed away on Oct. 31, 2018, was born on Oct. 18, 1921, the daughter of May (Foss) and Clarence Littlefield, grew up on her family farm in Auburn, which was located at the current site of the Sunderland Drive neighborhood. A graduate of Edward Little High School (1939), she attended Pelletier School of Beauty Culture, later working as a hairdresser and manager of the Style Beauty Salon in Lewiston. She was a lifelong resident of Auburn.

 “Ruthie,” as she was known, married J. Herbert Burns on June 7, 1942. He served three and a half years in the Air Corps in the China, Burma, India Theater of War. They had one daughter, Barbara, their pride and joy. Herbie and Ruth owned Carl’s Garage on Washington Street in Auburn. After Herbie’s passing in 1961, Ruth continued to own and manage the books at Carl’s Garage, where she and Dale Carleton became the best of friends and lifelong partners. Eventually, Ruth sold the garage to Dales and worked for Akers and Chrysler for more than 20 years as a bookkeeper until her retirement.

 Ruth is survived by her daughter, Barbara and husband Roland; granddaughters, Lisa and husband, Paul, Catherine and husband, Sean, grandsons, Todd and wife Lisa, Jeff and wife, Maeve; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

 Some of her early memories included working at the hardware department in Woolworth’s for $12 a month, taking a trolley out Minot Avenue to Garfield Road and getting picked up from school by her brother in a horse and buggy.

 Ruth’s life spanned four generations. She was our last familial connection to a time before cars rolled down our streets, indoor plumbing brought water to our kitchens and electricity lit our lights.

 She was predeceased by her parents; husband J. Herbert Burns, life-partner Dale Carleton; both of her brothers, Omer Littlefield and Lewis Littlefield, and her sister, Grace L. Dill.

 A funeral service will be held at Park Avenue United Methodist church on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 4:30 p.m. Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation & Monument Services, 217 Turner St., Auburn, Maine 04210.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s name to the Androscoggin  Hospice House, 236 Stetson Rd. Auburn, Maine 04210.

 

Copy the Story Link