Ruth Chandler Kimball

Ruth Chandler Kimball, retired Director of Special Services for the New Britain school system, died Tuesday at home at the age of 105. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, she grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from Denison University with a Ph.B. in 1925. She began her career in Romney, West Virginia, as a teacher of Mathematics and French, and in 1928 came to New Britain as Director of Testing and Research for the school system, later called Director of Special Services, a position she held until her retirement in 1973 after 45 years of service. Ruth held a Master of Education degree from Harvard University and did graduate work at both Yale and Columbia. Ruth was very active in South Congregational Church, serving as deacon and as the church's first woman Moderator, holding many other positions and chairing many committees, including the merger committee overseeing the joining of South Church with First Baptist Church. She was a past president of the College Club, a former director of the Central Connecticut Association for Retarded Children CCARC, a corporator of the Boy's Club of New Britain, a director of New Britain Family Service, and was a sector warden in the Civilian Defense Force during World War II. She was a founder and president of the New Britain Social workers Club and a founder of the New Britain Mental Hygiene Society, the Child Guidance Clinic and the constructive workshops. She was appointed by Governor Ella Grasso to the State Board of Mental Health shortly after her retirement. Surviving Ruth are four nephews; Richard Coe and his wife Penelope of New Britain; Robert Coe and his wife Martha of Sudbury, MA; Richard Kimball and his wife Tirrell of New Gloucester, ME and Eugene Kimball of Riverside, RI; two nieces, Alice Poor and her husband Joseph of Rumford, RI and Anne Kimball of Hancock, ME. She was predeceased by a sister, Katharine Coe of New Britain and two brothers, Spofford and Perley Kimball. A memorial service will be held Saturday August 16, 2008 10 AM at the Erwin Chapel of South Church, 90 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Oak Hill Cemetery, Newburyport, MA. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the South Church. Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain is in charge of arrangements. Please share a memory or note of sympathy by "clicking" GUESTBOOK at the bottom of the page.

Ruth Chandler Kimball

April 26, 1903 - July 23, 2008

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Ruth Chandler Kimball

April 26, 1903 - July 23, 2008

365 Days of Grief Support

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