Obituary of Ruth Everton

Ruth A. (Meehan) Everton, a longtime resident of Burlington, passed away at Winchester Hospital on Tuesday evening, July 21, 2015. Ruth was 83 years young. She was the beloved wife of the late John F. “Jack” Everton. Ruth was born, raised and educated in Everett, MA. She was one of four daughters who were born to Irish Immigrants of the late George and Anna Meehan. After graduating high school, Ruth worked for Wilbur Shoe St. Shortly after, she met Jack , and they happily married and settled into their Burlington home in 1955 where they would raise their three children. Although Ruth's primary role was a caregiver to her children, she was not one to sit idle. She worked at the historic &quote;Rexall Drug&quote; in Burlington for over thirty years as an assistant to the pharmacist. She also worked with her daughter, Gayle at the Gerbrands Family Daycare for over 31 years. She was also a member of St. Malachy's in Burlington where she was the president of the woman's club when her children were younger. In recent years, she continued to attend Mass on with her sister, Charlotte. It was important for her to attend church, continue to be a devoted Catholic and to keep her faith. Ruth was a family oriented woman who truly enjoyed the time she spent with her husband, children, grandchildren and extended family and friends. She had very close and special relationships to her each of her children and grandchildren. Affectionately known as , &quote; Nana&quote; to not just her grandchildren, but many friends of the family too! She was never one to miss an activity, graduation or special event. She was proud to watch her grandchildren grow into adulthood and many would say she was blessed to witness the birth of two great grandchildren! When speaking with Ruth she was always eager to share anything going on in her children and grandchildren's lives. She would speak of them highly and held her family in high regards 100 percent of the time. Many friends of the family would always comment how special of a person she was,always making people feel like family around her. She was a very empathetic, sensitive, kind and beautiful person. She certainly wore her heart on her sleeve. Some would joke about how sensitive she was when they would tell her some exciting news and she would have tears of joy in her eyes at the very beginning of the story! She showed her emotions easily which was always a clear sign of how much she genuinely cared for her family and friends. On a lighter note, her children and grandchildren would also joke she was a spy! She was always looking out the window, making sure everyone was staying out of trouble! Ruth had a wonderful relationship with her sisters. She was especially close to her sister, Charlotte. Sunday was designated as a time for the sisters to get together. They would take rides throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. They enjoyed stopping at different restaurants for lunch, and doing a little shopping along the way, because of course, Ruthy loved to shop! They shared lots of laughter together, doing the simplest of things. In addition, she was a strong woman who never stopped fighting. She lived life to the fullest and never stopped living her life even when a few obstacles were thrown her way. Everyone who knew Ruth would say she was an incredible woman with a big heart. She will truly be missed by all and always remembered in everyone's hearts. Ruth was the beloved wife of the late John F. “Jack” Everton. She was the loving mother of John Everton of Billerica, Gayle Gerbrands of Burlington, and David Everton of Barnstead, NH formerly of Burlington. Devoted sister of Charlotte O’Neil & her late husband John of Woburn, Mildred Ward & her husband John of Burlington and the late Loretta Mullins. Proud grandmother of Jillian & Jade Gerbrands and David, Austin & Ashley Everton. Great grandmother of Sadie & Kira. Mother in-law of Nancy Everton of Barnstead, NH and Richard Gerbrands of Burlington. Sister-in-law of Tom Mullins of Billerica. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, July 25 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Road, Woburn at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to Susan G. Komen Massachusetts, 89 South Street, #L101, Boston, MA 021