Below is an obituary from Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home:
BARNSTABLE, MA — Sarah Littlejohn Rueter of Barnstable, Massachusetts, formerly of Charlestown and Manchester, Massachusetts, died peacefully at home on March 11th just three weeks shy of her 97th birthday.
She was the daughter of the late Colonel Basil “Duke” D. Edwards and Elizabeth Chadwick (Beale) Edwards of Barnstable. She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, William G. Rueter, Jr. and her eldest son, William G. Rueter, III, her siblings Basil D. Edwards, Elizabeth C. Weaver, Joseph H. B. Edwards, James K. Edwards and Thomas D. Edwards, and son-in-law Thomas E. Martin. She is survived by her children: Matthew C. of Barnstable, Mass, Margaret B. of Cambridge, Mass, Susan F. Gordon Quintana of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Katherine B. Blatchford of Gloucester, Mass, and John L. of Winchester, Mass. She was mother-in-law to Beatrice (Tricia) Rueter, Edward Quintana, Virginia (Ginny) Rueter. In addition, she is survived by 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.
Sarah (known as Sally to her close friends and family) was born in Washington DC, grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky and Ann Arbor, Michigan where she formed many cherished lifelong friendships. She graduated from University of Michigan where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi.
Sarah met her future husband, William (Bill) G. Rueter Jr., at the Pier Association in Barnstable (now Barnstable Yacht Club, of which she was a lifelong member). They married in Barnstable in1950 and raised their family in Manchester before later moving to Charlestown.
Sarah received a Master’s in Library Science and had a long career at the Wilmington Public Library as the Children’s Librarian where she roller skated daily from the train to the library and she exclaimed, “My ankles have never been so slender.” She ended her career as the Director of the Library.
After the loss of her husband, Sarah returned to Barnstable where she spent her final years in the ancestral family home.
Known for her deep and selfless love of her family and extended family, her infectious laugh, kind spirit, and wonderful sense of humor, she made everyone welcome, comfortable and loved. She was a devoted mother and was either liberal or naïve – always encouraging her children to find their way. She was adored and will be missed by all whose lives she touched.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held in Barnstable, at 11am on August 22nd at St Mary’s church followed by a reception across the street in the Orchard.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Capecodhealth.org/capecodhealthcarefoundation and in the comment section say this is for hospice care.
Or you may send a check to VNA of Cape Cod Hospice, 25 Communications Way, Hyannis, Mass. 02601.
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