IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Ruth Ellan
(Chipman) Bailey
July 20, 2011
Obituary
Ruth was born on June 17, 1931, and was the only child of John Hale Chipman, III of West Somerville, MA and Mildred Brooks Chipman of Everett, MA. She was the widow of Rollin W. Bailey who passed away on October 1, 2007.
Ruth attended Norwell High School where she participated as a cheerleader, graduating in 1949. She attended Middlebury College in Vermont. Ruth met Rollin W. Bailey as they worked alongside each other in local acting troupes, and were married on March 19, 1966. They purchased a house on Parker Street in Norwell where they lived together for forty-one years.
Both Ruth and Rollin were long-time members of the First Parish Unitarian Church located in Norwell Center, where Ruth worked as the church secretary for seventeen years. She also played the church organ and sang in the choir with Rollin. Ruth wrote a book called "Where in the World", a biography of her dear friend and prominent Norwell resident Helen Fogg.
Ruth was a talented musician and an avid gardener. She adored cooking, and was a self-proclaimed book worm. In her later years she worked as a part-time librarian at the James Library and Center for the Arts in Norwell center, a job that suited her very well.
Ruth is survived by four married children: Mary Bryson Dean-Gauthier and Brian Gauthier of Somerset, MA, John Chipman Dean and Anna Dean of Marshfield, MA, Sally Dean Mello and Al Mello, also of Marshfield, MA, and David Rollin Bailey and Kelly Bailey of Norwell, MA. She had four grandchildren: Marklin Mello, Madeline Mello, Kellie Dean and Christopher Bailey.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the First Parish Church in Norwell center with a reception to follow immediately after the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on Ruth's behalf to benefit the James Library and Center for the Arts in Norwell, MA.