VASSALBORO -- Ruth B. (Chase) Johnson, 79, of Vassalboro, formerly of Bingham, passed away June 9, 2010, following a long illness.She was born Sept. 16, 1930, in Grand Lake Stream, daughter of Avon Hildreth Chase and Josephine (Bacon) Chase. Ruth attended elementary schools in Grand Lake Stream and Springfield and had many fond memories of that region. From the time she was in eighth grade until graduating from Bingham High School in 1948, Ruth lived and worked at her family-owned Rowe Pond Camps in Pleasant Ridge. She hiked the two-mile camp road in all weather, daylight and darkness to catch the school bus. In one particularly harrowing incident, she was followed home by a bear. She could hear him snorting and snuffling along behind her and knew she had to remain calm. She willed herself not to run or act afraid though her heart was thumping wildly! Ruth lived to tell the story many times, and the episode resulted in much of her inner strength for the rest of her life. "How bad can it be? I've been stalked by a bear!"Ruth resided with her family in the Pleasant Ridge, Bingham, and Concord area for many years, working mostly at the Allen Quimby Veneer Co. Ruthie loved life and people. She had many friends and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Bingham, as well as the Church Circle. She loved to ski and could be found on many winter weekends doing so with her daughter, Wanda, at Baker Mountain. She also belonged to a local (Bingham) bridge club, rarely missing a week. With the closing of the Quimby Co., Ruth moved on to employment in Waterville at Howard Johnson's Hotel & Restaurant, where she made many more treasured friends.For several years Ruth and her husband Dana felt fortunate to live lakeside on Great Pond in Belgrade. She enjoyed listening to loons, cruising in their "float boat" and witnessing the changing seasons. More recently they resided in Vassalboro where she often remarked about their "wonderful neighborhood." Ruth enjoyed reading spy novels, ancient history (especially involving Egypt), the Sunday newspapers, National Geographic and all things about space, "the final frontier." She liked to cook and experiment with new recipes. Even before the Food Channel, Ruth treated her family to many adventures with exotic flavorful dishes.Ruthie loved her family and often went out of her way for their comfort and care. She along with her first husband, Roger, cared for several elderly family members. She drove many miles on weekends to pick up her mother so that she could enjoy a few hours with the family. When her mother moved further away to Bangor, despite her own illness, Ruth made regular visits there, too. Along with her family, Ruth always felt privileged and blessed to have so many good friends and neighbors throughout her life. She often remarked that she didn't know what she'd done to be so fortunate in that regard. Ruth adored her pet Siamese cat Yazmin, her constant companion for 17 years, and had a special place in her heart for dogs as well. She often looked forward to caring for a neighbor's little dog, Harley, and visits from Jake-across-the-street, who loves peanut-butter crackers. She also delighted in canine visits with Boomer at the Alfond Center and Buddy at Mount St. Joseph's.Ruth enjoyed travel and felt lucky to have been able to visit several states, including Florida, Nevada and California. She was proud of all of her family's accomplishments and especially relished being able to attend her granddaughter's graduation from the University of San Diego. She was present and very much a part of the weddings of her daughter, granddaughter and stepdaughters.Ruth is survived by her daughter, Wanda (Padham) Curtis and her husband, Michael, of Dexter; granddaughter, Michelle (Curtis) Fong and her husband, Timothy, of Hope; great-grandchildren Tristan Fong and Kylie Fong; stepdaughters Tonya Bartshe and her husband, Michael, of Auburn and their son Nathan, Katie Talon and her husband, Todd, of Auburn and their son, Trevor. Ruth is also survived by a brother, Jerome Chase and his wife, Joan, of Veazie; a stepbrother, Avon H. Chase Jr. of Dresden; several cousins, nieces and nephews.Ruth was predeceased by her parents; her first husband, Roger B. Padham; her second husband, Dana, who passed away March 22, 2010; a brother, Ronald Chase Sr.; an infant sister, Janine, and a stepsister, Clara.The family feels that Ruth was treated exceptionally well throughout her long illness. They would like to extend their utmost gratitude to Ruth's friends, neighbors and to all of the dedicated health-care professionals who were so kind to Ruth at Mid-Maine Medical Center in Waterville, the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta and Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home in Waterville. Her life was epitomized by Sydney Smith's advice: "Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence."At Ruth's request, there will be no services. Those who wish may make a donation in Ruth's memory to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, ME 04901-4203.Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.lega cy.com/obituaries/MaineToday MorningSentinel/Arrangements under the care and direction of Dan & Scott's Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.