NEWINGTON, Conn. – Ruth (Bilodeau) Hynes, 79, of Newington, Conn., formerly of Hartford, Conn., widow of John J. Hynes Sr. died Thursday, July 31, at home after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Auburn, daughter of the late Edwin and Evelyn (Baron) Bilodeau, she graduated from Lewiston High School, class of 1941, she was a graduate from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in 1945, Hartford, Conn.

Mrs. Hynes was a registered nurse at St. Francis Hospital delivery room for 13 years and had retired from Avery Heights Healthcare Center after 23 years retiring in 1989, having lived her life helping others.

She had lived in Hartford for over 60 years, moving to Newington six years ago. She was a communicant of St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, Hartford and an active member of the Rosary Alter Society. She was a member of the St. Francis Hospital Alumni Association, the St. Francis Hospital Women’s Auxiliary and the St. Francis Hospital Retiree’s Club.

Mrs. Hynes is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John J. Jr. and Kathryn Hynes of Madison; two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Joseph Tevald of Byfield, Mass., and Kathleen “Bunny” and William Claflin of West Hartford, Conn.; a sister, Anita Drake of Lisbon; and seven grandchildren, Jeremy and Bethany Tevald, Brendan, Carly and Laurie Claflin, Conor and Casey Hynes.

She was predeceased by a sister, Theresa; and a brother, Robert.