Obituary: Ruth Christie Link, Formerly of Middlefield

Ruth Christie Link, “Bonc”, “Aunt Ruthie”, formerly of Middlefield and Guilford, wife of the late Harry G. Link, passed away on Monday, November 23, 2015 at The Guilford House. Born in Brooklyn, NY on December 18, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Frank T. and Florence (West) Christie.

Ruth married Harry in April of 1941 and settled in Middlefield in 1946. While in Middlefield, Ruth was a homemaker, mother and life-long support to her in-laws, the late Harry M. and Nellie S. Link, before turning her loving and nurturing ways to a younger generation of young nephews and eventually her grandson.

For many years, she served as secretary to the early priests of Saint Colman’s Church. She was a long time member of the church choir as well as a member of the Mid-Lea Garden Club. After 50+ years in Middlefield, Ruth and Harry moved to North Guilford in 1994 to live with their daughter and son-in-law. From 2004-2005, Ruth lived in Hilton Head, SC with Susan.

Prior to her final residency at The Guilford House, she lived independently at Luther Ridge in Middletown, where she continued to make new friends, participate in social outings such as the Ladies Red Hat Club, and always brightened the lives of those around her on a daily basis. Ruth loved to read from the time she was first able to do so and continued to “plow through” countless books until the time of her final illness.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Susan O’Connor; grandson, Jeffrey O’Connor; great grandsons, Jackson and Brody O’Connor; her brother, Franklyn Christie and his wife, Patricia of Hilton Head, SC as well as a great bunch of nieces and nephews from both sides of the Link and Christie families. A very special thank you to Jimmy Christie for all his love, effort and devotion to “Aunt Ruthie”.

Along with her husband, parents and in-laws, Ruth was predeceased by her son-in-law, James D. O’Connor and her brother, Harold F. Christie.

Ruth might have been a small woman but showed graciousness towards all those she cared about, whether family, friend or new acquaintance. It goes without saying that this beautiful and special woman will be sadly missed, yet joyfully remembered by any and all who were fortunate enough to have known her and been touched by her Hopeful Spirit while she was with us.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 11:00 am at Saint Pius X Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown. Interment will follow in Middlefield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice. Doolittle Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. To share memories or send condolences to the Ruth’s family, please visit the Doolittle Funeral Home.