Ruthann Haskins
Ruthann Haskins, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away peacefully in “The Biscuit Barn” where she lived with her son William Noel and his partner Ali Smith at their home in Roxbury, VT. After a four-year courageous journey with cancer, she went on to be with her Lord and Savior on August 28, 2024, while surrounded by her loving family.
Ruthann was born on October 30, 1943, in Waltham, MA. She graduated from Arthur W. Radford High School in Honolulu, HI, in 1963 and went on to graduate from Keene State College with an Associate in Science Chemical Dependency degree in 1993. Ruthann was a member of many churches across the country and most recently a member of thee Warren United Church of Christ in Warren, VT.
Ruthann’s faith was always at the center of everything she did from serving troubled youth at a teenage girls’ group home to serving for 46 years with Cornerstone Motorcycle Ministries of which she was a founder. Ruthann had a strong conviction that all people deserved to be loved, but especially those who have been marginalized. No matter where she was, be it at work, home, church, or on the side of the road, Ruthann had a prayer for you. She touched everyone she met with her sincere heart and loving ear.
Growing up with a less-than-ideal childhood, Ruthann was profoundly moved to share with people the strength she was given from her Lord to not just survive, but to truly have a joy-filled life. She was commonly found praying with strangers, sending texts of encouragement, and showing people how to have a good time. Ruthann was always ready to dance, cook, sing, pray, go on a road trip, a midnight swim, have a tea party, or go yard saling. The heavens are surely rejoicing with her arrival!
But there was nothing that made Ruthann happier than to be with her family. She is survived by her daughter Angela Lockett (husband Geoff) of Dardenne Prairie, MO, her daughter Margaret Howell (husband Michael) of Aiken, SC, both from Ruthann’s marriage to James Lee Paschall Jr., her son William Noel (partner Ali Smith) of Roxbury, VT, and her daughter Melodie Showacre of Warren, VT, both from her marriage to Milo Noel. Ruthann’s grandchildren include Leslie Lockett, Aidan Lockett, Connor Lockett (wife Brooke), Brett Lockett, Madeleine Lockett, Sarah Howell Buck (husband Jake), Naomi Noel, Ahna Noel, Daisie Showacre and Sawyer Showacre. Ruthann’s four great-grandchildren are Wilder Lockett, Willow Lockett, Sloane Lockett and Emmett Lockett.
Ruthann was predeceased by the love of her life Theodore Haskins of East Alstead, NH, her parents William and Noreen Parkins, as well as a granddaughter Blessed Angel Showacre.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at the Warren United Church of Christ in Warren, VT, on Saturday October 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the Warren Town Hall.
Ruthann’s burial will be held at West Cemetery on Forest Road Route 123 in East Alstead, NH, the following day, Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to Free Wheelin’ of Waitsfield, VT, at mrvfreewheelin.org, a local nonprofit operated by Mad River Seniors that provided transportation for Ruthann to several of her treatments. Thank you, Free Wheelin’.
