Ruth Skinner

Ruth Ethel Skinner, born on June 17, 1921, in Bangor, Maine, lived a life dedicated to service and family. She grew up with her loving parents, Mary and William, and her sister, Miriam. After graduating from high school, Ruth pursued her passion for nursing at Bangor General Hospital, where she graduated with honors.

In 1943, Ruth joined the US Air Force nursing unit, which was later transferred to the US Army. Her first assignment took her to France during WWII, where she played a crucial role in establishing a field hospital for US troops injured during the Battle of the Bulge. Ruth served with distinction and completed her commission as a First Lieutenant in 1945.

While in France, Ruth met her future husband, Harry Skinner. They married on April 13, 1946, in Lexington, KY. Their family grew with the births of their daughter, Sandra, and son, Robert. In 1951, the family moved to Nashville, where Ruth worked as a surgical nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She later transferred to the VA Hospital in Nashville, continuing her nursing career until her retirement in 1984.

Ruth had a lifelong love of painting and reading, often taking painting classes and immersing herself in her hobbies. She was a devoted member of Vine Street Christian Church, which played an enduring role in her and her family's lives.

Ruth's legacy of compassion, dedication, and love will be cherished by all who knew her.