Ruth Ashworth

January 17, 1921 - August 9, 2015

HAMPTON, N.H. — Ruth E. (Simpson) Ashworth, 94, of Hampton, formerly of North Dartmouth, MA passed away Sunday, August 9, 2015 at the Oceanside Nursing Home in Hampton. Born and raised in New Bedford, MA, she was the daughter of the late David and Ethel (Gatie) Simpson. She lived in North Dartmouth before moving to Illinois after her retirement to live with her grandniece, Marsena Dufresne. After diagnosis with Alzheimer’s, she moved to New Hampshire to be close to her niece Pamela Sparling, sister Jean Sparling, and the salt breezes from the ocean she loved. She was a graduate of New Bedford High School and for many years served as an executive secretary at Acushnet Company. Ruth is remembered fondly for her love of reading, enjoying the sun and sand at Horseneck Beach, Friendly’s fish and chips, and sneaking bits of bacon to her beloved toy poodle, Lord Paddington (Paddy). She attended Crossroads Bible Chapel while living in North Dartmouth. Her home and presence was a place where nieces and nephews could be themselves and talk about anything. Able to relate to any generation and quick to laugh, Ruth welcomed her younger relatives with openness to every part of their lives, personal, relational, and spiritual. She was the wife of the late John “Jay” Ashworth. Ruth Ashworth is survived by a sister, Marjorie Haack of St. Anthony Village, MN, and was the sister of the late Barbara West, Jean Sparling, and Hazel DeJesus. A graveside memorial for Ruth, officiated at her request by nephew Denis Haack, will be held at 1 pm on Monday, September 21, 2015 in the Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford, followed by a luncheon and time for sharing memories at the home of her nephew Brent Sparling. All family and close friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Nature Conservancy, 99 Bedford St #5, Boston, MA 02111, a non-profit seeking to conserve the natural beauty of the state Ruth loved.