Ruth Noble, Age 87, Was Active in Church Work

After a brief illness, Ruth Noble died peacefully on Sunday, July 20, in Edgartown, at the home of her daughter and son in law, Kathie and Ralph Case. Her family and her cat and constant companion Tigger were by her side. Ruth was 87 years old and the wife of the late James Noble.

Ruth, the youngest daughter of George and Margaret (Martin) Southworth, was born in Fall River Jan. 9, 1916. She grew up in Fall River and as a young adult worked at the Kerr Thread Company and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. She enjoyed baking and was a talented craft person.

In 1963 Ruth and Jim came to the Vineyard to take care of Jim's brother, David Noble. After his death in 1969, Ruth worked for the Vineyard Nursing Home on Vineyard Haven Road. She retired when Jim did and they would often be seen on Lobsterville Beach fishing or at the Menemsha docks squidding.

After Jim's death, Ruth moved to Hillside Village where she was happy in a small home, living independently.

Ruth was a member of Celestial Chapter #72 in Vineyard Haven, and then of Oriental Chapter Order of Eastern Star of Edgartown, and on the advisory board of the Order of Rainbow for Girls. A communicant of the Methodist Church in Vineyard Haven, she was active in the women's club of the church and worked on many of the ham and bean dinners. In her later years she became an associate member of the Federated Church in Edgartown.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathie Case, and son in law Ralph of Edgartown; a son, Frank Noble, and his wife Linda of Somerset; two granddaughters, Deborah Bergus of Rehoboth and Cheryl Jehn of Greenhithe, New Zealand, and one grandson, J. Douglas Noble, currently in New Zealand. She also has six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Franklin Noble.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the Federated Church in Edgartown, with a collation to follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, the Federated Church, P.O. Box 249, Edgartown, MA 02539, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.