Ruth B. Hughes died Thursday at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

Mrs. Hughes served the town of Oak Bluffs for many years and in many capacities. She was town treasurer for 18 years and worked in various other departments including the offices of the town accountant, assessors and treasurer. She was a member of the Oak Bluffs Park Department for nine years.

She was born on Dec. 22, 1914 on a ship at sea traveling from Southern Pines, N.C., to the Vineyard where her mother wanted her to be born. However she was born on the ship, which was first docked at Providence, R.I., and thus her birth is recorded there.

She was the daughter of William and Tessie (Schremeller) Blankenship. She was graduated from the Oak Bluffs High School in 1933 and was valedictorian of her class. She attended Sargent College in Boston.

She married Robert H. Hughes, her childhood sweetheart, on June 18, 1938. She retired as town treasurer in 1977 and enjoyed her home on New York avenue in Oak Bluffs. For nearly forty years, she and her husband spent the winter months in Lake Worth, Fla.

Mrs. Hughes was a correspondent for the New Bedford Standard-Times for more than twenty-five years. She covered the Rice murder case which was one of the few to occur on the Vineyard. She also volunteered for more than twenty years posting the nightly board for the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby.

She was captain of the Oak Bluffs Girl Scout Troop for many years. The troop included the Drum and Bugle Corps, which led the parades on Memorial Day and other occasions.

Mrs. Hughes served on the board of directors of the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services and chaired the fund drive for many years. She was also chairman of the Martha’s Vineyard Arthritis Foundation committee in Oak Bluffs and served on many charitable fund-raising drives for the American Red Cross and efforts against cancer and heart disease.

Survivors include her husband, Bob of seventy years; her brother in law, John Hughes; her nephew, Buzzy Blankenship; great-nieces Beth Blankenship-O’Connor and Meredith Gallo; and many other nieces and nephews.

According to her written wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held. Instead of donations, it would be appreciated if you do at least three exceptional acts of kindness each year for three years in her memory.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.