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Ruth Nettleton, 93, departed this life Jan. 27 in hospice in Peterborough, New Hampshire. She was the beloved wife of the late Willis M. Nettleton of Guilford. Ruth was born in West Haven Aug. 23, 1927, to William Wesley and Ruth (Bartlett) Alexander.

She grew up in North Guilford and graduated from Guilford High School in 1945 and the Teachers College of Connecticut in 1949. She later received a master’s degree as a primary education reading specialist from Southern Connecticut State. In 1949, Ruth married her high school sweetheart, Willis, and started teaching kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades in Guilford at Calvin Leete, Church Street, and A.W. Cox Elementary schools, a career she cherished. She retired in 1987.

She enjoyed traveling and was an avid gardener. Along with her sister-in-law, Edith Nettleton, Ruth served as an historian at the First Congregational Church. She enjoyed baking and was known far and wide for her homemade pies. She lived on Tanner Marsh Road for more than 70 years and was the last surviving member of the original Clapboard Hill gang. Ruth was a strong, outgoing woman and a loving wife, mother, and grandma.

Ruth is survived by her son Wesley Nettleton (Lucy) of Grayson, Georgia and daughters Martha Pacilio (Louis) of Leeds, Massachusetts and Nancy Jackson (Guy) of Dublin, New Hampshire. She will be cherished in the memories of her grandchildren, Sam and Spencer Nettleton (Wesley), Louis and Catherine Pacilio (Martha), and Lydia and Patrick Jackson (Nancy), and her great-grandchildren, Edith and Heidi McGown, Macy and Gordon Jackson, and Elin Pacilio. Ruth is also survived by her sister, Doris Fonicello of Guilford. She is predeceased by her sister Nancy Mansfield.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances of Ruth can be made to the First Congregational Church, 122 Broad Street, Guilford, CT 06437 or the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 200, Guilford, CT 06437. A memorial service is planned for this summer.