Fawcett, Ruby O. (Goss), of Marshfield, MA, formerly of Lexington, MA, passed away peacefully on December 17th, 2015, at the age of 91 with her children by her side. She was born in McPherson, Kansas, was her high school valedictorian and then graduated from St. Luke's School of Nursing in Denver, Colorado in 1945. She was a member of the Army Cadet Nursing Corps from 1942-1945. In subsequent years, Ruby used her nursing skills in many volunteer activities in the greater Boston area. She also enjoyed her church, gardening, and working with the local food pantry. She worked many years with the Ladies Benevolent Society of the First Congregational Church. She loved living near the beach and spending time with her many friends, neighbors and relatives, particularly her grandchildren.

Ruby was the loving mother of Ronda and her husband Jim Barker of Walliingford, CT, Stephen and his wife Patricia of Londonderry, NH, Tim and his wife Carol of Thornton, PA, and Jim and his wife Rebecca of Hanover, NH. She was the beloved grandmother of Rick, Scott, Suzanne, Matt, Stephen, Michael, Laura, Elizabeth and Katherine. Ruby was also survived by her 14 great grandchildren, Kylie, Cassidy, Nicholas, Alex, Sarah, Zachery, Amanda, Colby, Thomas, Lindsey Ruby, Stephen, Aleyna, Ryan and Nathan. As the benevolent matriarch of both the extended Fawcett and Goss families, she loved and was loved by members of both families. She occasionally hosted, always enjoyed, and frequently attended, many family events and gatherings. Ruby leaves behind her beloved younger sister Joyce of McPherson, KS. She was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband, Richard B. Fawcett, her brother Bill and sisters Eva, Betty, and Bernice.

Ruby grew up in the small farming community of McPherson, Kansas where her father was a mechanic at an automobile dealership and she was part of a large family with her brother Bill and four sisters. She was a stellar student and valedictorian of McPherson High School. Her graduation coincided with the beginning of World War II and Ruby moved to Denver, Colorado where she trained to be a registered nurse at St. Luke's School of Nursing. She was a member of the Army Cadet Nursing Corps and worked at Fitzsimons's Army Hospital. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadet_Nurse_Corps (highlight link and right click mouse to go to webpage)
The facility was used heavily during WW II to treat returning casualties and became one of the Army's premier medical training centers. The nurses at Fitzsimons became lifelong friends and Ruby attended and enjoyed numerous class reunions for the rest of her life. It was at Fitzsimons that Ruby first met Peg Jones (later Peg Ryan) her close friend until she died. Ruby and Peg attended a USO dance where she met the dashing man, and love of her life Richard Brewster Fawcett known as "Dick". At the time Dick was far away from his home in Lexington, MA, and had left Harvard University, enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He was receiving bombardier training for B-17's in Colorado. Part of family legend, were their infamous 6 dates that resulted in a marriage proposal, engagement, a move to Lexington, and wedding after Dick returned from the war.

After the war Ruby started raising her family and briefly worked at Emerson Hospital. As a registered nurse she did frequent volunteer work with the American Red Cross and blood drives at Boston area hospitals. She was a docent at the Hancock Congregational Church in Lexington, MA and volunteered with the Lexington Historical Society. She and Dick retired to Marshfield in 1984 where she immediately joined the First Congregational Church and worked for years at the local food pantry. She loved gardening and her garden group, the Seaside Gardeners. For much of her life Ruby was an amateur artist, especially working with watercolors and painting various garden and beach scenes. She joined the North River Arts Society and enjoyed their companionship and activities. Ruby enjoyed music, had a beautiful voice, and would sing at church events and other gatherings with very little encouragement, but always with a smile. She loved to travel, and made many trips with good friends from Lexington and Marshfield, MA.

A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday December 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 1981 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA.

In lieu of flowers, Donations in Ruby's memory can be made to any of the societies mentioned in this obituary. Condolence letters can be sent to Stephen Fawcett, 6 King Phillip Drive, Londonderry, New Hampshire.

For full obituary, directions, and online guestbook please visit our website macdonaldfuneralhome.com.