Ruth S. Foster

ELLSWORTH – Ruth S. Foster, 96, died peacefully at her home in Ellsworth on June 2, 2025. She was born on April 18, 1929, in Machias, the daughter of John F. and Edith P. (Meserve) Sullivan. She spent her youth living in Machias and later Ellsworth, graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1946.

Ruth was a former Republican Senator, the first female mayor of Ellsworth and a business owner. She was in the Maine House for 10 years and the Senate for four years. She was a force to be reckoned with. She was honest, a good listener and a tireless advocate for all the causes she supported. Ruth received many awards for her service over the years. She was the first female member of the Board of Directors of Bar Harbor Bankshares and Bar Harbor Bank and Trust (1986-2004) and also the first female president of The Black House (Woodlawn) in Ellsworth.

Ruth owned and operated Ruth Foster’s children’s shop for 35 years. Ruth made many dear friends over the years and has left a lasting impression on the community she served and people whose lives she has touched.

Ruth is survived by her daughters: Jennifer F, Libby of Bangor, and Jacquelyn S. Dearborn and husband Joel, Sr. of Holden; grandsons, Joel “Jay” Dearborn, Jr. and wife Nisha of Yarmouth and Jonathan S. Dearborn and wife Toni Ann of Scarborough: great-grandchildren Kavya Dearborn, Kiran Dearborn, Ellie Dearborn and Emmie Dearborn. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by sisters, Elaine Sullivan and Patricia Forrest, along with special cousin Lorena Booten.

A private graveside service will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Ellsworth. An opportunity to celebrate Ruth’s life will be held from 3-5 p.m., Sat., June 14, 2025, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.

Condolences may be expressed at http://www.jordanfernald.com

Those who desire may make contributions in Ruth’s memory to the Ellsworth

Garden Club, P.O. Box 722, Ellsworth or Birdsacre,

P.O. Box 485,

Ellsworth, 04605.