Ruth Alice (Phillips) Johnston

Ruth Alice Johnston, 98, passed away Monday, October 9, at The Hearth in Glastonbury, her home for the last six years. She was the daughter of the late Alvin H. Phillips, Jr and Alice Phillips. She grew up in Long Meadow, Massachusetts and Somers, Connecticut, graduating from Rockville High School.

She attended a secretarial program at Boston University in the 1940s, leading her to a job as an editor of the MIT alumni magazine. She enjoyed her time living in the Boston area and while there she met E. Russell Johnston, Jr.. They married in 1951, and Ruth became an academic wife, supporting Russ in his work as an engineering professor as they moved with their two sons from Lehigh University, to Worcester Polytechnical Institute, and, finally, for the longest part of their time together, to The University of Connecticut. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001.

Ruth was a committed mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. While her sons were young, she served as a Cub Scout den mother and taught Sunday school. While her grandchildren were young, she attended Sunday school Christmas pageants, dropped in on swimming lessons, and hosted overnights at her house.

After her sons left home, she earned a degree from Manchester Community College. She enjoyed traveling, and she visited much of the United States. In 1971, she, her husband, and youngest son spent most of an academic year traveling around the world. Closer to home, she spent a lot of time on genealogical research, gardened, and painted.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents, husband, brother, and sister. She is survived by her sons, Russell (Gail) and Bruce (Jan), three grandchildren, William, Robert, and Rebecca, four great-grandchildren, and three nieces and a nephew.

A service for the family was held at the Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic on October 14, 2023

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