Obituary of Ruth A Barton

Ruth A. Barton (Breitenfeld) formerly of Lexington, passed away peacefully at home in Burlington, MA on September 26, 2017, following a short illness. Ruth was the daughter of Frederick and Dorothy (Falk) Breitenfeld. Ruth is survived by Margaret H. Barton, Chicago, IL, Alice D. Barton, MD, Austin, TX, Linda C. Barton, RN, Stoughton, Frederick A. Barton, N.Y., N.Y., Susan A. Young, Auburn, ME, William F. Barton, Concord, , and Allen R. Barton, Los Angeles, CA. Ruth was pre-deceased by her daughter, Nancy E. Barton, Old Greenwich, CT. She is also survived by her former husband, David K. Barton, Hanover, N.H., 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She was also the sister of Frederick Breitenfeld of PA. Ruth was a 1977 graduate of Harvard University. She earned her degree at age 49, after having been a homemaker and mother to her 8 children and after her youngest was enrolled in first grade. She was an administrative assistant until she retired and knew her way around a word-processor before most people knew what one was. Ruth was an avid reader and loved to spend time browsing in Barnes & Noble. She also taught all of her children to read before the age of 5, and instilled in them love of reading and academics. If one of us said, “I’m bored,” she would say, “Go read a book;” if we didn’t know what a word meant or how to spell it, she would say, “Go look it up.” Ruth traveled extensively throughout the world, making friends everywhere she went. She also loved to play bridge and did so most days for many years. Most recently, she enjoyed her needlepoint projects and watching football on television. She especially loved the New England Patriots. Memorial Services will be held at The Parish of the Epiphany, 70 Church St. Winchester on Monday, Oct. 2 at 11:00 AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38015 www.stjude.org or Child Guidance Center, 23 Benedict Place, Greenwich, CT 06830 www.childguidancect.org