Ruth L. Burnell

Ocean Park

The last page in the long and well-loved book of Ruth Virginia Lindsey Burnell was written on September 1, 2021. She was born on September 3, 1923 to Chester James Lindsey and Annie Osgood Lindsey.

After graduating from Deering High School she attended Gorham Normal School for 2 years then taught at a one room school house in Wells during WW II.

On April 28, 1944 she married the love of her life, Franklin Locke Burnell. Together they had seven children. One died at birth and another passed away as a toddler. The other five boys grew up to become good productive people with healthy and strong families.

After raising her children to school age she finished her degree at Gorham State Teachers College and went on to teach school in both the Scarborough and Gorham school systems where she taught generations of elementary school students to love reading.

After retirement Ruth enjoyed traveling to the lands of Anne Shirley, Odysseus, Henry VIII, and her Scottish Highland heritage. She particularly enjoyed reading and would read almost any book. She had an almost eidetic memory and retained everything she read. When she wasn't reading she enjoyed time with her family and played a mean hand of cribbage.

She was predeceased by three children: Peter, Barry and his unnamed twin sister, and her husband, Franklin. She is survived by four sons; Franklin Jr. and his wife April, Alan and his wife Sharon, David and his wife Eileen, James and his wife Susan, 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Private family burial will be in West Baldwin Cemetery.

If family and friends desire, donations may be made in Ruth's name to Southridge Living Center, 173 South Street, Biddeford, ME. 04005