Ruth T. Vandette

Ruth Therese (Lorrain) Vandette, age 92, resident of Tewksbury for 27 years, passed away January 18, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Gerard E. Vandette for 61 years and the daughter of the late Ernest A. and Yvonne M. (Aubrey) Lorrain.

Ruth was born July 19, 1931, in Lowell. She attended St. Louis de France elementary school and St. Louis Academy, graduating in 1949. She was a communicant of St. Louis Parish, sang in the church choir and was a member of St. Louis Academy Alumnae. She was an avid reader, enjoyed doing needlepoint and watching TV. Like her mother, she was noted to have a paint brush in her hand, always keeping her home in tip-top shape. In her early years she took tap dancing lessons, was a baton twirler with St. Rita's Cadets and then took piano lessons. Her favorite past time was watching her granddaughters dance in recitals and in local and national competitions. She adored watching them dance and was very proud of them.

Ruth and Gerry married in 1953, and 7 years later bought their first home in Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish, Lowell, where they Lived for 36 yearns and raised their 5 children. Ruth belonged to the Notre Dame de Lourdes Sodality and was a member of the bowling League.

She worked at the U. S. Army Garrison Fort in Devens, MA, for 12 years as Secretary to many officers, such as CO, USAH and Deputy Commander, Fort Devens. In 1962, she resigned to stay at home and care for her 4 children. She Later worked at the IRS, Andover, MA, as tax examiner for 12 years and during this time in 1970, she had her 5th child, then retired in 1982.

After they both retired and moved to Tewksbury, they spent their time babysitting their 3 youngest grandchildren, chauffeuring them to and from school and to their after-school activities. Days off from school were always spent with "Mem" and “Pep" forming a bond with them as close as their own children. They had 8 grandchildren, 3 granddaughters and 4 great-grandsons.

Ruth and Gerry were virtually inseparable and enjoyed many vacations together. They traveled to various states including, Hawaii, as well as Italy, Paris and London. They also went on 2 Caribbean Cruises visiting many islands. Since Gerry passed away, Ruth has enjoyed a Disney Cruise with her 3 youngest grandchildren, her youngest daughter and her husband. She also cruised Central America which included the Panama Canal and 4 other countries with her oldest son and his wife. Their favorite cruise was the one celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary attended by the entire family.

She is survived by her three sons; Paul and his wife Jacqueline (Lavigne) Vandette of Wilmington, NC, Robert and his wife, Lucille (Beaulieu) Vandette of Methuen and Gary and his wife Melissa (Dufresne) Vandette of Attleboro; her two daughters, Elaine and her spouse Rev. Many-Ann Thibeault-Vandette of New Smyrna Beach, FL and Christine (Vandette) and her husband Donald Vincent of Tewksbury; her brother-in-law, Emile Vendette, of Berlin, NH; her eight grandchildren Christopher and his wife, Meghan (Ganz-Sarto) Vandette of Richmond, VA, David Vandette and Basia Czachor Oliveira and their son Zayden of Agawam, Jason Vandette of Methuen, Arielle (Vandette) and her wife Ashley Smith of Sturbridge, Ryan Vandette of Attleboro, Alexa (Vincent) and her husband Randall Collyer from Fort Drum, NY and Emily and Daniel Vincent of Tewksbury; her three great-granddaughters, Courtney Sott of Amesbury, Carolynne Goddard of Kissimmee, FL and Michaella (Sott) and her husband Sean George of Amherst, NH; her four great-grandsons, Deakon, Greyson and Camdon George of Merrimack, NH and Zayden Vandette of Agawam; her nephew, Richard and his wife Paulette (Paquette) Harvey of Hudson, NH; her niece, Susan (Harvey) Neary of Dunstable; her grand-nephew, Eric and his wife Alexandra (Malvey) Harvey and children Brayden, Tevyn and Crew of Hudson, NH; her grand-niece, Elizabeth (Neary) and her husband Christopher Boyd of Dunstable; as well as several aunts and cousins.

She was the daughter-in-law of the late Edward and Lucienne (Lefebvre) Vandette, the sister of the late Irene (Lorrain) Harvey and sister-in-law of the late Joseph Harvey.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ruth’s Life Celebration at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Wednesday, January 24th from 3 until 7 PM. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:30 AM at St. Williams Church in Tewksbury. Burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford.