Obituary of Ruth McKim Davis

Ruth D. McKim Davis died October 18, 2018, at her home surrounded by loved ones and cat Mr. Stripes. Ruth was born September 26, 1919, in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia. She later moved with her parents Martha and Joseph McKim to Randolph, Massachusetts where she grew up and graduated from Randolph High School in 1937. Ruth graduated from the Perry Kindergarten Normal School in Boston in 1940 and Tufts University in 1943. Following graduation Ruth married the love of her life, James B. Davis. They were married for 70 years, weathering many storms and sharing many joys with enviable romance. Ruth taught elementary school in Randolph and then began a life of crisscrossing the country raising a family of six and supporting her husband’s Naval career. She would later go back to teaching. She taught Kindergarten at the East Belfast School in Belfast, Maine, retiring in 1980. She was an exemplary teacher and touched many young lives. Ruth was “chief cook and bottle washer” in the Davis family. She raised her own six children and was deeply involved in the rearing of her grandchildren. She loved her beautiful home on the ocean and up to her final days found wonder in watching the changing tides and the parade of boats. Ruth filled her yard and home with flowers. She was an avid reader and knitter, loved trying new recipes, and had fun hosting beach cookouts complete with bonfires. She raised a menagerie of pets, allowing her children to bring home everything including baby raccoons. She was especially fond of her cocker spaniel Matey. Ruth had a great sense of humor and put up with a lot of nonsense from her own kids, but always had the last word. She will be remembered for her original words, describing the walk up from her beach as “hubblybubbly” and not feeling well as being a little “glumpfy.” Ruth was predeceased by her daughters Melanie Joy Davis and Martha Davis Giles, son GYSGT Craig A. Davis USMC and husband James B. Davis. She is survived by her son James Davis Jr. and wife Yvonne, son Paul Davis, daughter MaryBeth Pride and husband Ken, daughter in law Dolores Davis, son in law Mike Giles, grandchildren Vespfree, Sara, Loring, James III, Eliot, Hillary and great granddaughters Betsy and Melanie. She will be dearly missed by her Mayo Street neighbors. A memorial reception is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Waldo County Retired Teachers’ Scholarship Fund c/o Rebecca Vachon 146 Robbinstown School House Road, Morrill, ME 04952. The family wishes to thank Dr. Paul Mazur. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.ripostafh.com. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home in Belfast.