Obituary: Ruth Prosser Morrissey, 99

by | Sep 7, 2021

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Ruth Prosser Morrissey passed away peacefully, surrounded by her  family, at home on Aug. 26. She was four months shy of her 100th birthday. 

Ruth was born in Dorchester, Mass., then moved to Staten Island, N.Y., at  the age of 4, where she lived with her parents, sister and grandmother. As a child, she looked forward to sleeping in on the weekends and  escaping the summer heat in a penny theater. After high school, she  took the ferry into Manhattan daily to work as a secretary for  Combustion Engineering.  

She met the love of her life when her father brought home a handsome  Coast Guardsman, John Morrissey, for dinner. They married in 1943  and moved to Rhode Island. They settled in East Greenwich, where  they raised five children after John completed his service. Ruth built a home full of love. Their door was always open to neighbors, friends,  roaming pets and even a beloved exchange student from Norway. Ruth’s congo bars, mac-and-cheese and sheet cakes were crowd favorites. There was always room for at least one more.  

You would be hard-pressed to find another soul with such an open  heart; the word judgment was not in her vocabulary. And while her  kindness extended to all people and creatures, Ruth’s world revolved around her family. Even in her later years, she was reminding us of each other’s birthdays and anniversaries, intent on using every  opportunity to celebrate the joy in our lives. To us, she was and always will be the Queen Mother of New England. 

She will be remembered for her carbon-copied typewritten letters sharing family news to keep us all connected, her pillow for driving so she could reach the peddles, and the mobile kitchen kept in the car trunk. This included her rolling pin and board that she used for the apple pies she baked “since Hector was a pup.” Most of all she will be  missed for the love and devotion she gave to her family. 

Ruth is survived by her 5 children – Meredith (Bob), Bruce, Lisa, Todd  (Julie) and Richard (Pam) – 10 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, who will all miss her dearly. She is predeceased by her husband John (Biff), her parents and sister Louise.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 North Main St., Providence, R.I. 02904. Burial and services will  be private.

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Judith Stenberg
Judith Stenberg
September 8, 2021 11:24 am

I send my heartfelt sympathy to Ruth’s family. She leaves a legacy of love in and for her family and friends.

Donna Rice
Donna Rice
September 8, 2021 1:28 pm

BRUCE and Family;
So sorry to hear that your mom passed. A wonderful mother. May your memories help you to get through this difficult time.
Donna Wilson Rice

Carole Pomaski
Carole Pomaski
September 22, 2021 6:13 pm
Reply to  Donna Rice

Merry and family, I remember your mother so well. She had the softest voice and sweetest smile. She was kind to everyone and always brought a gentle glow with her wherever she went.
My prayers are with you all.
Carole Pomaski

Heidi johnson
Heidi johnson
September 17, 2021 7:01 pm

To my classmate Richard and family –
I send my sincere condolences to you. The obituary was obviously written with great respect and love, and beautifully chronicled the life of an amazing woman. There are few today that can hold a candle to our parents, or to that generation in general. For the rest of our lives, we will miss them. Keep Ruth alive by sharing all these wonderful memories of who she was.
Sincerely,
Heidi Johnson

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