York Beach-Ruth Alice Junkins Hodgin passed away peacefully at home on August 14, 2015 with family at her side. Ruth was born in Portsmouth, NH October 21, 1924 and lived the first years of her life in York, Maine where her father was Health Officer for the Town of York. In 1927 Ruth and her family moved to Massachusetts. Her father was a bacteriologist for the Boston Metropolitan Water Supply and mother taught physics at Mount Holyoke College. Summers were special as Ruth spent two weeks each summer at her mother's parents' beach cottage at Wallis Sands, Rye, New Hampshire. Due to the poor health of Ruth's brother, David, the family moved to Coral Gables, Florida for the warmer climate. Ruth completed the remainder of her schooling , graduating eleventh in her class in May 1942 from Ponce de Leon High School and earning membership in the National Honor Society. During the Florida years the family continued to summer at their beach cottage at Wallis Sands, Rye, NH. After Ruth's graduation from high school, she and her family moved permanently to Rye, NH. In the fall of 1942 she attended a small secretarial school and took an examination for acceptance to work at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. She began work at the Shipyard in 1943 as a Clerk Typist in the Purchasing Dept., Electrical Section. Ruth later worked in the newly renovated Ships Stores, then the Timekeeping Section for the Shipyard Shops and finally she was promoted to Secretary to the Master of Shop 07. She left the Shipyard in 1952. Ruth met her future husband, Thomas Wilson Hodgin, during an ice skating party at York ME in 1947. At the time, Tom and his family were running the Hodge Inn by the Sea in York Beach and a small diner next door to the Inn. They married September 15, 1949 and Ruth entered her second career as assistant inn keeper, assistant cook and bookkeeper, later managing the entire operation while Tom pursued his college degree. Ruth and Tom's first daughter, Ruth Lynn, was born August 17, 1959. Second daughter, Lee Ann, was born May 21, 1963. Ruth believed that the best gift they ever gave Lynn was Lee. Through the waiting months Lee was always referred to as "your baby" in speaking to Lynn. After Lee's birth, anticipating her sister coming home from the hospital, Lynn wrote a letter to her mother about bringing "her baby" home. It ends "if it rains, be sure to have Daddy bring an umbrella". Through the years Ruth was an actively involved parent and community member and was keenly interested in local and world events. She taught Sunday School at the Union Congregational Church. A lifetime PTA member, she was Secretary, Vice President and President of the local chapter. Ruth held two administrative positions with the York Chamber of Commerce and the Board. She was a member and served as Secretary to the York Elderly Housing Committee. The Committee constructed the first Elderly Housing Development in York. Ruth and Tom delivered Meals on Wheels and Ruth went door to door as a US Census worker. She was appointed by the York Beach Village Corporation (YBVC) to their Planning Board and served as a member and Secretary to the Board up to the consolidation of the YBVC and the Town of York. Prior to consolidation, Ruth played a major role in producing an updated Zoning Book for the YBVC to be voted upon before consolidation. Ruth worked for the York-based Trinity Corporation, a manufacturer, sales and distributor of fire hazard training equipment from 1977 to 1987 receiving an honorary position as a Board Member for ten years of excellence. Ruth also had recreational interests and she was a firm believer in the health value of nutrition, exercise and in work outs for the brain. She had a certain creative side, and this could be seen in all the time and effort she put into the people and things she cared about. Ruth had a vast recipe library and she showed her love by bringing others together with food. She was a Charter Member of the Nubble Lighthouse Keepers Square Dance Club beginning in 1973. She held the position of President three times and Chairman of Round Dancing during her 35+ years of involvement with the Club. For at least twenty years she played bridge with a wonderful group nearly every Wednesday at the Union Congregational Church where Ruth was a member. She even played five tables just the week before her death. It is widely known that Ruth placed a strong emphasis on family. It was important to her that her family understand their roots and maintain strong connections or re-establish ties that may have become lost. She was the secretary of the Junkins Family Association and lifetime member of the Board. Ruth is predeceased by her parents Walter H. and Ruth A. (Yeaton) Junkins, her brother David E. Junkins and her husband Thomas W. Hodgin. She is survived by her daughter Lynn Peterson of York Beach, two grand children Carlee & Joren Peterson; and daughter Lee & husband Stephen Lauritsen of Brunswick, Maine. A service for Ruth Alice Junkins Hodgin will be held on Sunday October 18, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Union Congregational Church in York Beach Maine. In lieu of flowers donations to the Union Congregational Church are welcomed.