Ruth M. (Nelson) Somers, 96, of Gloucester, formerly of Rockport, wife of the late William C. Somers, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at her residence. She lived most of her married life in Rockport at 6 Granite Street. She was born in Worcester on January 22, 1920, daughter of the late Carl and Elizabeth (Travers) Nelson. Ruth was a graduate of the High School of Commerce (1941) and later attended nursing training at Worcester City Hospital. In earlier years, she worked for the Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. During WWII, she worked as a welder for the Saint Piere Chain Company in Worcester. She was a member of the Rosie the Riveter Club. In later years, she worked as a housekeeper and assisted with the school lunch program at the Tarr School in Rockport. Ruth and her husband enjoyed spending winters in Mexico, where they would distribute bicycles and other needed items they had collected from home. She enjoyed getting her family together for holiday dinners and had a big hand in raising her grandchildren which included everything from grooming their horses to instilling life lessons during the many babysitting occasions. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting and chair caning. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by two daughters, Billie Anne Greeke and her husband, Peter of Gloucester and Mary Elizabeth Barrett and her husband, John of Westminster; three sons, Frank D. Somers and his wife, Barbara, Glenn P. Somers and his wife, Kate, all of Gloucester, and William C. Somers, Jr. and his wife, Elaine of Rockport; 11 grandchildren, Wendy Prendergast, Kate Preusser, Melissa Moseley, Peter Greeke, Jr., Jennifer Greeke, Heather Gwyn, Rachel Somers, David Somers, Debra Somers, Christopher Barrett, and Colleen Barrett; nine great-grandchildren; her sister, Irene Cariglia of Worcester; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Carl James Somers; sister, Lois Nelson; and brothers, Herbert "Sonny" Nelson, and Carl Nelson, Jr. Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, January 14, at 11 a.m. in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966 or Cape Ann Animal Aid Association, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930. Arrangements are by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA. For online condolences, please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com.
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