Obituary of Nancy Ruth Carruthers

Nancy Ruth Carruthers, 68, of Waterville died at her home on October 27, 2009, after a three and half year battle with cancer. She is survived by her sister, Jane Harvey, brother, Phillip Carruthers and five children; Charles K. Leadbetter III, of South Portland, Maine, Tracy J. L. Bardwell, of Falmouth, Maine, Lindsey R. Geitz, of Norwalk Connecticut, Danville R. Leadbetter, Estero Florida, and Mary P. Gerrie, of Portland Oregon, and seven amazing grandchildren. Nancy was a very proud mother who always said her Children were her largest accomplishment. Her children will dearly miss the “World’s Most Wonderful Mother.” She was born October 13, 1941 in Schenectady, New York, the daughter of Phillip and Luella Carruthers. She grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and graduated from Longmeadow High School. At 17, she entered the Faulkner School of nursing and became a Registered Nurse. Her career took her from the Massachusetts General Hospital, to the American Hospital in the Panama Canal Zone, Maine Medical Centers in Portland and Bangor, Thayer Hospital and ultimately to the head of the operating room at the Waterville Osteopathic Hospital. Held in high esteem by her colleagues she had been referred to by Dr. Judah Folkman of the Mass General Hospital as the “Most Phenomenal of Scrub Nurses.” Dr. Folkman was the man who invented Avastin an anti-cancer drug that played a large part in her life over the last three years. She married Dr. Marshall James Gerrie of Waterville, Maine in 1997. Although their time together was short, the impact of their relationship was profound. They both shared an incredible love for one another and the world around them. Over the course of the past four years Nancy spent much of her time with Ryan Fendler, of Camden, Maine. Nancy’s relationship with Ryan and the strength of her resolve to be here for her family contributed greatly to the quality of her life after her diagnosis. Nancy spent her free time cooking, knitting, basket weaving, scrap booking, traveling the world, skydiving, and generally enjoying life. Nancy’s charisma and charm rubbed off in positive ways with everyone she met. She was truly a beautiful person, and she will be sincerely missed by many. The funeral service will be held at St Mark's Episcopal Church‎, 60 Eustis Pkwy, Waterville, Maine‎, on Saturday November 7, 2009 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow the service. If desired, flowers could be sent to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and donations may be made in memory of Nancy Carruthers to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care at Maine General, 157 Capitol St., Augusta, Maine 04330.