Ruth Leonard Freyberger
HOUGHTON – Ruth Leonard Freyberger, 95, the only child of Dr. Ralph D. and Florence E. Leonard, passed away peacefully at home, on the evening of July 2, 2019, surrounded by her family.
Ruth was born and raised in Melrose, Massachusetts, and spent her summers in Friendship, Maine. She majored in chemistry at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. After graduating in 1945, she worked as a chemist in the MIT labs where she met Wildfred Lawson Freyberger. Ruth and Wil were married in 1951, and celebrated 64 years of marriage together.
Ruth loved the water and sailed her own boat for many years along the Maine coast. She was an avid bridge player (forever bemused that her children never learned the best of all card games), puzzler, seamstress and knitter. She was also known to wield a mean ping-pong paddle, badminton racquet and croquet mallet.
Ruth and Wil lived in many states, finally settling in Houghton in 1964. They traveled far and wide. Her favorite adventures included an African safari, cruises in Alaska, and trips to New York for the opera.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Wilfred; and her son, David Mason Freyberger.
She is survived by her daughters, Louise (George) Clitty, Jean, and Ann (Vince) Short; her grandchildren, Kate Kloetty, Sam Clitty, Alex (Cora) Short and Andrew Short; along with several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at The Bluffs on Monday, July 8, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations to a local hospice or your favorite charity are preferred.
To view Ruth’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes have been assisting the family with the arrangements.