Ruth E. Soper

Ruth Erma Soper died Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at Sonogee Rehabilitation and Living Center. She was just shy of being 97 years old, having been born July 5^th, 1915 in Bar Harbor the daughter of Clyde W. and Harriet (Messer) Mosley.

Ruth was an artist throughout her life. Her art guided her in illustrations for the Bar Harbor High School yearbook, at the Malvern Greenhouses as a floral designer, at the Jackson Laboratory as a graphic artist and as a freelance painter with pictures displayed at the Farnsworth Museum and often for sale in the clothes line art show on the village green. But especially for her friends and family, she was a carver of birds, and a painter of landscapes, flowers and seascapes for the love of it. She passed the love of art to her descendants.

Ruth was a longtime member of St. Saviors Episcopal Church, Bar Harbor. She was a member of and illustrator for the Bar Harbor Garden Club and had painted murals on the walls of the Maine Seacoast Mission and the Acadian Bake Shop. Her close friends received and saved her hand painted Christmas cards. Her legacy is widely dispersed.

She is survived by her son Richard C. Soper and wife Harlene, of Surry and Victor, N.Y.; grandsons, Roger B. Soper, of Victor, N.Y, and Brian W. Soper and wife Kathleen, of Blue Hill ; great-grandchildren, Richard Cody, Jennifer Danielle and Jordon William Soper; cousin, Laurie Messer Leeds.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Donald R. Soper who was killed in WW II in a plane crash in Okinawa; a brother, Gerald “Mose” F. Mosley in 1994.

Written by Jim and Ginny Steenstra, June 08, 2012

We are so saddened to hear of "Aunt" Ruth's passing.
She was a dear lady and friend. We treasure our paintings and Christmas cards as well as memories of times with her. God bless you, Dick and family at this difficult time. Love, Jim and Ginny

Written by John R. Spear, June 08, 2012

I am saddened to read of Ruth's passing. I first met her eighty or so years ago when I worked at the Malvern Greenhouse/Nursery,while in high school,delivering her beautiful floral arrangements. She was a lovely and gracious lady who always had a kind word for all those she worked with. I will miss her. Love, John

Written by Darrold Dorr, June 09, 2012

A talented and gracious lady who always made one's daily routine a better day for seeing and talking with her. My condolences to her family.

Written by Darrold Dorr, June 09, 2012

I knew Ruth the many years we worked at the Jackson Laboratory. Ruthe and George McKay were the two shining stars on the first floor. I wa forunate enough to have called them my friends. Ruth was a talented and gracious lady, my only regret is I never acquired any of her wonderful watercolors she so wonderfully created of our Island.

Written by Darrold Dorr, June 09, 2012

My many years at the Jackson Labororatory were made enjoyable by my daily visits to Ruth and George McKay's small but productive ground floor office at the Lab. They were part of what made the greatest generation. A World war 2 widow and a B 29 pilot instructor. She was a gracious and talented lady. My condolences to her family, she was so proud of them.

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