Obituary of Ruth R. Irving

Ruth (Robinson) Irving, 95, of Burlington, formerly of Woburn, passed away at her home after a brief illness on Sunday morning, May 8. She was the wife of the late William A. “Bill” Irving who passed away in October. Born and raised in Malden, she was the daughter of the late Percy T., and the late Annie E. (Allen) Robinson. Ruth was a graduate of Malden High School, Class of 1944. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a secretary for the Boston Children’s Friends Society Adoption Agency. Ruth married Bill in 1950, and raised a family of four children. Moving from Malden to Woburn’s West Side in 1958, they had lived in Burlington since 1963. Ruth was a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack #102 at the Pine Glen School in Burlington. She was also Past President of the Order of DeMolay Parents Association for the William Parkman Lodge in Winchester. Ruth and her late husband Bill were members of the First Baptist Church in Woburn for many years, and she was an active member of the Rebekah Circle there. She also served as a Sunday School Teacher and Deaconess at the First Baptist Church. In later years, Ruth and Bill became devout Catholics, and communicants of St. Eulalia Church in Winchester. In her free time, Ruth enjoyed reading, knitting, time with her friends. But most of all, spending time with her family. Ruth was preceded in death by her late husband Bill. She was the mother of the late Glenn Irving and his wife Sharon of New Bern, NC, Ann Keniston and her husband David of Tewksbury, MA, the late Lynne Pollino of Woburn, MA, and John Irving and his wife Mary of Tewksbury, MA. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Christopher Irving, Michael Patuleia and partner Tiffany Allen, Amy Irving, Alex and husband David Alcon, Timothy Pollino, Caroline Keniston, and Tess Irving; and further survived by four great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Leeth, Emmie Irving, Laela Irving, and Watson Irving. Ruth was the sister of the late Allan E. Robinson. She is additionally survived by nieces Beth and her husband Dr. Allen Heller, and Diane DiNardi, and nephews Thomas Blackman, and Winston and his wife Lynne Robinson, as well as many grandnieces & grandnephews. An hour of visitation will be held at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Rd., Woburn on Friday morning, May 13 from 10:00-11:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be at the Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth’s memory may be made to the St. Eulalia’s Parish Retired Clergy Trust., 50 Ridge St., Winchester, MA 01890