Obituary of Ruth Peirce Cushing

Ruth P. Cushing passed peacefully in Leominster, MA the afternoon of February 14, 2024, in hospice care.  Ruth was born November 29, 1934, in Bangor, Maine, to Grace Webber Cushing and Andre Emerson Cushing. 

Ruth suffered a birth trauma that left her developmentally disabled with cerebral palsy, seizures, speech, balance, and dexterity issues.  She allowed none of this to stop her.   Ruth lived with her parents in Bangor until the age of nine, when it was decided, as was common for that time, that it was best for her to be in a school with students like her.  She was sent to what was considered the finest school, the Perkins School in Lancaster, MA.  Ruth chaffed under the rules there, especially on Sundays when the girls were required to wear silk stockings to go to church. As an adult, Ruth wanted more autonomy and in 1986 at age 53, she was finally allowed to live in a community apartment, work at Montachusett Industry Resources and make many of her own decisions.  She made such great strides that she was awarded the Dr. Goldman Award in 1987, in recognition of the tremendous progress she made in her personal, work, and financial life.  Ruth had strong opinions and was willing to share them if you were willing to listen.  When her body started to fail her, she was moved to nursing care at Venture Community Services, where the care she received allowed her to reach age 89 in comfort.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, and brother, Andre E. Cushing Jr. and his wife Jane.  Ruth is survived by her brother Charles Richmond Cushing and his wife Alice; seven nieces and nephews; 10 grand-nieces and nephews; nine great-grandnieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ruth’s honor to the local Special Olympics in your area.

Private burial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Bangor.  Messages and memories may be shared with Ruth’s family at kileyandfoley.com

Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer.