Kingston, Ruth (Ahara)

90, of Lexington, passed away July 1, 2018 from complications of pneumonia. Born in Montreal, Ruth lived in Rumford, ME, and then Cambridge, Boston and Lexington, MA (at Five Fields and Brookhaven at Lexington). She married Robert H. (Bob) Kingston of Somerville, MA in 1952 and they recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. She raised four children (Robert E. Kingston (Rhonda Feinbaum) of Arlington; Susan E. Kingston (Thomas Ellis) of Bellevue, WA; Margaret K. Tivey (Maurice) of North Falmouth; Katherine Kingston (Barry Shaw) of Westminster West, VT), and numerous animals.  Grandchildren are Elena and Natalie Kingston, Kerri and Daniel Ellis, Trevor (Aurora) and Kristen Tivey, and Liam Kingston Shaw and Gaelin Shaw Kingston.

A 1946 graduate of Stephens High School, Rumford ME, Ruth attended Radcliffe College, where she received a B.A., Magna Cum Laude, in Biochemistry in 1950, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She worked as a research assistant at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (1950-52) and Massachusetts General Hospital (1952-54). While raising four children she devoted time to the League of Women Voters, volunteered as a library aide and math tutor for the Boston Public Schools, and served as a board member of the Mystic Valley Mental Health Center Association, Inc.  In 1976 she earned a Masters of Education from Boston University then worked for eight years at Charles River Academy (Cambridge) and six years at Palfrey Street School (Watertown) as the Administrative Assistant to the Headmaster and in various other capacities including Director of Guidance, English Instructor, and 766 Coordinator.  After retiring in 1991, she and Bob enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time with their family and grandchildren.  Ruth was a member of Hancock United Church of Christ for more than 50 years, and served in a number of roles there, including on the Finance Committee, as Assistant Treasurer, on the Board of Deacons and on the Nominating Committee. She shared with her father and sisters an avid interest in Bible study. A deeply thoughtful person, she shared in her final days her thankfulness for her full, long life, and her faith in her husband, children and grandchildren carrying on when she is gone "as it should be."

In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, Ruth was very close to and is survived by sisters Marjory Kraske (and husband David) of Hartford, ME, and Constance Ahara of Lexington. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Hancock United Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's memory may be made to Hancock United Church of Christ http://www.hancockchurch.org/give/ or to a charity of the donor's choice. A private burial was held at Westview Cemetery in Lexington.