RUTH DORIS (HAYDEN) MATTSON - MILTON - Ruth Doris (Hayden) Mattson, 96, died peacefully on Oct. 23, 2013, at Our Lady of Providence Residential Care Facility in Winooski, where she had been a resident since Dec. 5, 2011. Ruth was born in Milton on Oct. 3, 1917, the daughter of Henry and Jessie (Preston) Hayden. She graduated from Milton High School in 1935, and received a bachelor's degree from Burlington Business College (Champlain College) in 1939. After graduation and several secretarial positions, she embarked on a career at General Electric in Burlington. On Dec. 21, 1969, she married Harold "Dan" Mattson in the United Church in Milton. Dan was the love of her life. They became inseparable, retiring from General Electric together in 1978. Unfortunately, their retirement together did not last long. On Oct. 21, 1979, Dan died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Ruth then began her second career as a dedicated volunteer through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She worked in the Fanny Allen Hospital Gift Shop, took reservations and processed paperwork for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging Nutrition Program in Milton, and processed orders for the Share/Serve Program for many years. She also was a charter member of the Arrowhead Senior Citizens Organization and served as secretary on the Board of Directors of Arrowhead Senior Citizens Center, Inc. for 19 years. In 2008, she placed first in volunteer hours for the state of Vermont. Ruth was a very proud member of the National Grange, State Grange and Milton Grange. She served on the Executive Committee of the Pomona Grange, and as Chaplain of the Milton Grange # 522. Ruth is survived by Lloyd and Sandra Gilbert and Gordon Lafountain of Milton, very close friends whom she considered "adopted" children. They tended to all her needs since she was widowed in 1979. She is also survived by two nephews, Ralph and David Hayden; and niece, Beverly Hayden, all of Milton; three cousins, Sheila Lafreniere of Essex Junction and St. Cloud, Fla., Thomas Berry of Milton, and Lee Violett of Bristol, Conn., and their families; as well as Dan's daughter-in-law, Laura Johnson and her husband, Larry, of Hartland, Vt., and Pinellas Park, Fla.; and Dan's grandson, Robert "BJ" Mattson of Hartland. Ruth was predeceased by her parents; husband, Dan; brother, Frank Hayden; sister-in-law, a very close cousin, Norma Berry and her husband, Bill Berry; as well as several cousins. With respect for Ruth's wishes, there will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2013, at 11 am., by Monsignor Bernard Bourgeois at Our Lady of Providence Chapel, 47 West Spring St., Winooski. All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served at Our Lady of Providence following the Mass. Burial will be private. The Minor Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.minorfh.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to Arrowhead Senior Citizens Center, Inc., PO Box 785, Milton, VT 05468.