Ruth Janet (Batchelder) Converse passed away on December 4, 2019 at the Brooksby Village in Peabody.  She was 93 years of age.

Ruth was born In Medford, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Elmer Ross and Lillian E. (Luce) Batchelder.  Ruth lived her entire life in Reading before moving to Brooksby Village in Peabody 15 years ago.  Ruth was a retired teller and bookkeeper for State Street Bank where she worked for several years.  She was very active member at the First Congregational Church in Reading where she was a member for almost 70 years.  She was a former Deacon of the church and was also a member of the church choir.  Ruth loved to sing and had been associated with different choir's singing for almost 80 years most recently in the Brooksby Village Chapel Choir.  When her boys were young she was proud to be their Cub Scout Den Mother.  She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the American Red Cross for many years and was instrumental in the building and maintaining Peter Sanborn Place in Reading.

Ruth was the beloved wife of the late Herbert W. Converse.  Devoted mother of Kenneth Dale Converse and his wife Patricia of Bridgton, ME, David Gary Converse of Blandford, MA and the late Alan Scott Converse.  Cherished sister of Marilyn Reed Borton of Highland Ranch CO, the late Emerson Ross and Arthur Franklin Batchelder, and Helen Jenness Hahn.  Loving grandmother of 7 and loving great grandmother of 2.

A Funeral Service celebrating her life will be held Tuesday, December 10 at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) in Reading at 12pm.  Burial to follow at Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading.  A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-12.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Ruth's memory to Brooksby Village Attn: Protestant Fund C/O Brooksby Village Planning Office 300 Brooksby Village Dr. Peabody MA 01960.  Reading Historical Society 16 Lowell St. Reading MA 01867, or Reading Symphony Orchestra P.O. Box 165 Reading, MA 01867.