Ruth F. Stewart PORTLAND -- After 89 years of what her father described as 'perpetual motion,' Ruth F. Stewart came to rest on Saturday, May 16, 2009. In her dynamic life she performed many roles: devoted daughter, sister, athlete, nurse, soldier, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and neighbor. Roothie was a lifelong resident of Portland, born March 18, 1920, to Seth P. and Charlotte M. Fairbanks, grew up and attended schools on Munjoy Hill and graduated from Portland High School in 1937. She trained at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary and graduated in 1940. In WW II, she enlisted into the Army Nurse Corps and proudly served as a First Lieutenant with the 67th General Hospital in England from 1942-45. In August 1946 Roothie swam her third Peaks Island-Portland marathon and was 90 yards from an oil tanker when it exploded. With her husband-to-be rowing at her side she continued through the debris-covered water and finished fifth. On Sept. 6, 1947, Roothie married John G. Stewart (Ian) and built a home on Summit Street and had three children, John G., Alexander (Andy) and Charlotte. As well as being a mom, she worked as a private duty nurse, was superintendent of Sunday Schools at North Deering Congregational Church, sang in the choir, wrote skits as a Cub Scout Den Mother, and became the official parent of The Wicked Good Band. When Ian retired in 1983 their first of many adventures was a cross-country road trip to visit Andy and his new wife Barbara in San Francisco. They enjoyed bus tours and cruises and enthusiastically supported all the local theaters. She loved visiting and being visited by her grandsons, Dylan and Eric. She continued swimming with her wonderful pool pals and could always be counted on to staff a blood drive or work the polls. For the past three years, Roothie enjoyed being a member of the Birchwood Assisted Living Community and appreciated their wonderful care. Roothie was predeceased by her son Andy; her sister Charlotte and husband James Johnson, her sister Suzanne and husband Charlie McWilliam; and her sister-in-law Eily and husband Tom Conley. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ian; her son John and wife Marie; her daughter-in-law Barbara; grandsons Dylan and Eric; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating Roothie's life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2009, at North Deering Congregational Church, 1364 Washington Ave., Portland. Arrangements are by Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Southern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross 2401 Congress St. Portland, Maine 04102 Ruth F. Stewart Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763