Ruth K. Johnston

Ruth (Kroemer) Johnston, 87, of Manchester, beloved wife of 67 years of Benjamin H. Johnston died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Ruth was born on January 17, 1930 in Mineola, L.I., NY daughter of the late William and Edna (Meyer) Kroemer and she had been a resident of Manchester since 1964. She earned her Associate Degree from Bryant College in Rhode Island. Prior to retiring she was employed for many years as an executive secretary for Lydall Inc. in Manchester. Ruth was a longtime active member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Manchester. She enjoyed crafting, sewing, crocheting and creating beautiful ceramic pieces that were often given as gifts. She also loved to travel with her family and took many trips nationally and abroad. Ruth was a volunteer at Manchester Memorial Hospital for many years.
She was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. In addition to her husband Ben, she leaves her three daughters and sons-in-law; Kathryn and Victor Berardi of Duxbury, MA, Lynn Baver Natale and Ralph Natale of Spencer, MA and Terri and Mark Hamilton of Bedford, NH, her ten loving grandchildren; Christian Berardi, Douglas Berardi and his wife Emma, Amy Baver, Scott Baver and his wife Amy, Ryan Baver and his wife Nicole, Zachary Natale, Elise Natale, Matthew Natale, Benjamin Hamilton, and Timothy Hamilton and his wife Sarah, her six special great-grandchildren, her niece Gail (Allen) Robbins and her nephew Matthew Allen. In addition to her parents Ruth was predeceased by her sister Joan Allen, her son-in-law Harvey Baver and her granddaughter Nanci Baver. Ruth's family would like to thank the Manchester Police Dept. and the Manchester Fire Dept. for their kindness, concern and compassion on Saturday. Calling hours will be held at Watkins Funeral Home, 142 East Center St., Manchester on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 from 4-7 pm. Funeral services will be celebrated at Concordia Lutheran Church, 40 Pitkin St. in Manchester on Thursday, May 4th at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in East Cemetery, Manchester. Memorial contributions may be made the Concordia Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. To leave an online condolence please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com


Visitation DetailsWednesday, May 3rd, 2017 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Watkins Funeral Home
Service DetailsThursday, May 4th, 2017 10:00am, Concordia Lutheran Church
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery