Ruth Chapin Gower

Ruth Chapin Gower, 97, of Attleboro, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Christopher Heights of Attleboro in Attleboro, MA. She was the beloved wife of the late Stanley M. "Mel" Gower, to whom she was married for sixty-two years.Born on May 25, 1920 in Springfield, MA, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Laurence Chapin and the late Ruth (Lamson) Chapin.Ruth was devoted lifelong to leadership, volunteerism and community service. As one of the early volunteers at Sturdy Memorial Hospital following World War II when the volunteer program was formally established, she was a past President of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and continued a lifelong legacy of service and support of "her" local hospital.Ruth was employed following her college training as an executive secretary by the Savings Bank Association of Boston, and later by the Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA) in Burlington, MA. There, as Director of Voluntary Services, she was well known for her experienced insight, and knowledgeable, professional manner. To quote the late Congresswoman Margaret Heckler, "Ruth was exceptional in her ability to get things started". While working at MHA, she provided assistance to hospitals in all matter related to auxiliary activities and volunteer service programs, serving on the AHA Council on Legislation, Medic Alert Advisory Board, and the Medical Foundation Education Committee, chairing a committee that developed the Immunization Booklets used statewide by the Department of Public Health.Especially noteworthy are her 1972 and 1973 publications in the Volunteer Leader titled "The Measure of an Auxiliary" and "Legislative Options for Auxiliaries." As Director of Voluntary Services, she edited monthly newsletters, organized regional meetings, workshops, and educational programs.Ruth also believed strongly in the philosophy of hospice and worked together with a team to establish the CVNA Hospice Program in Attleboro 35 years ago. Following her retirement from MHA, she worked eleven years as the first official Director of Volunteers for Community VNA Hospice. Through that position, she shaped the tremendous growth of the program through her recruitment and training of hospice volunteers. Well known for her unique talents pairing patients with Hospice volunteers, she is fondly cherished by many of those volunteers and their patient families. In recent years, Ruth continued to serve Community VNA as an active Board member emeritus.Since moving from Wellesley, MA to Attleboro in 1957, Ruth was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. She was Director of the Altar Guild, a Vestry member, Sunday School teacher, and Church Women United Leader. Remembered well for her strong support of the former Attleboro Area Council of Churches, now the Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative, Ruth worked diligently to benefit the homeless and needy in the community through a team effort approach working with all faiths.Throughout her years of civic leadership in Attleboro, Ruth was Residential Chairperson for the Attleboro United Way and the American Red Cross. She was a Garden Club member and served her term as President of the North Purchase Club. At the helm of the North Purchase Club, she was instrumental in accomplishing valuable civic projects such as identifying and replacing Attleboro street signs to assist local rescue vehicles. Her innovative ideas and initiative facilitated the Club's 100-year anniversary in the community.Ruth loved to swim in the lake at her Maine summer home. She also loved to dance (especially the Tango), and playing lots of golf. She enjoyed travel, spending time with her family and friends, and cheering on her New England Patriots. She had a delightful sense of humor, and was an avid reader with her special "Bluebird Book Group". She was the cherished mother of the late Laurence C. Gower, Barbara G. Dykas of Seekonk, MA, and her late husband, Edward Dykas; and Marjorie G. Marot of Lakeville, MA, and her husband James A. Marot. Ruth was the loving grandmother of Kathleen M. Sullivan of Westfield, MA; Adam C. Gower of Attleboro, MA; Jeffrey E. Dykas of Seekonk, MA; Jason F. Gower of Newcastle, OK; Braydon G. Marot of Carver, MA; and Evan J. Marot of Wareham, MA. She was beloved by her eleven wonderful great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Carol (Chapin) Hall and the late Elizabeth (Chapin) Ernst. She leaves three nieces and three nephews whom she adored, numerous dear friends, her church family, and the community.For family and friends who knew her, Ruth will be remembered most for her genuine caring smile, her compassion to listen, help, and serve others, and for her strong faith, love, and devotion to family. Her extraordinary ability to lead and organize civic action, and her lifelong contribution to the medical field, especially at SMH and CVNA Hospice will long be remembered and appreciated in the City of Attleboro. Friends and family are cordially invited to honor and remember Ruth by gathering for a Visitation on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Funeral Service and Remembrance on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 121 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA.Private burial services will immediately follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Attleboro, at which time Ruth will be laid to rest alongside her dear late husband and son.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth's name to Community VNA Hospice, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200