Ruth Elizabeth Muirhead Bates

Cambridge Ruth E. M. Bates, 84, died during a brief stay at Albany Medical Center the evening of Thursday, June 7,
2012 . She was the beloved wife of Henry S. Bates, Jr.
Ruth was born January 29, 1928 in Pawtucket, RI, where she was raised and educated, the only child of Archibald McLaren Bell Muirhead and Catherine Barr Muirhead.
While participating in a Bible reading contest in Northfield, MA she met her future husband, Henry. They were married on August 12, 1950 and set up housekeeping in his home town of Cambridge, NY.
Ruth was never one to be bored. She worked at the Buskirk Creamery, and as a young
mother she was a Cub Scout leader. Later, she was a reporter at the Bennington Banner,
was the plaid stamp girl at the A & P and passed out samples at Grand Union. She drove bus for Cambridge Central School, was an aide at BOCES in Hudson Falls and at North Bennington, VT Elementary. Ruth spent the last 10 years before retirement working for the United States Postal Service at various post offices in Washington County.
She was a member of the Cambridge United Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Recently, she and Henry attended the Sandgate Methodist Church.
A devoted member of the Cambridge community, Ruth was the first female mayor as well as the first female member of the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department and a founding member of the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad. She sat on the planning boards of the
Village of Cambridge, the Town of White Creek and Washington County. She also worked as an election inspector for the Town of White Creek for many years.
In her "spare time" she was the parts runner for her husband's plumbing company and babysat for grandchildren and friends.
Along with her husband of 61 years, she is survived by three sons and their wives, Henry S. Bates III(Skip) and Dale of Shushan, David B. Bates and Laurie of Cambridge and Timothy N. Bates and Cherise of Coila; eight grandchildren (Shawn, Luke and his wife Vanessa, Michael, Daniel, Sarah, Noah, Carissa and Zachary) and three great-grandchildren (Jared, Josiah and Lauren).
At the families' request, there will be no calling hours.
A Private Burial will be at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 13.
All are invited to attend a Memorial Celebration of Ruth's life on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Cambridge United Presbyterian Church, 81 East Main Street.
The family requests memorial donations be made to, Cambridge Vol Fire Dept, Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad or Church of Choice.