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Marie Ruth Page in Chicopee around 1936. Photo courtesy of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Archives.

 

 

PUTNAM — In April of 1916, Woodrow Wilson was president. WWI was in its second year, with the Battle of Verdun raging on the Western Front. The Chicago Cubs played their first game at Weeghman Park, now known as Wrigley Field. In Dublin, the Easter Rising occurred, which led to the independence of the Irish Republic a few years later.

Meanwhile, on the third of the month, in Chicopee, Mass., Catholic couple Edouard1 and Amanda Page welcomed a little girl into the world.

A century later, she’s still here.

That little girl from western Massachusetts grew up to become Sister Marie Ruth Page, better known today as Sr. Mary Ruth, who’s been a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit (DHS) since 1937. She was then called Sister Edouard de la Croix. 

Founded in France in 1706, the DHS is well known as a religious order for teachers. That’s why the 21-year-old from Chicopee made her final vows with the DHS on Sept. 2, 1937, at the order’s motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France. Shortly afterwards, Sister Mary Ruth started working as a teacher, with a three-year stint at the former St. Mary’s School in Jewett City.2

“I always wanted to be a teacher from the time I was a little girl, so the Daughters were where I wanted to go,” she said. “I started out teaching everything.”

Even this many decades later, her passion for her former students shows through. “I always wanted to be with the children,” Sister Mary Ruth said, her piercing blue eyes flashing. “I always wanted to be a teacher.”

Retired from teaching since 1990, she spent more than 50 years in the classroom at Catholic grade schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Sr. Mary Ruth moved to the DHS’s U. S. A. Provincial House in Putnam a dozen years ago.

April 3, her DHS sisters, former students, family and friends celebrated her 100th birthday, with a Mass and luncheon at the provincial house. “I spent 31 years teaching English,” she said, remembering her time at the former St. Cecilia’s School in Leominster, Mass., from 1940 to 1971.

In 1970, one of her eighth graders at St. Cecilia’s was Paul Gamache, who grew up to become a teacher and school administrator himself. After serving at several schools in northeastern Connecticut, Gamache is today the principal of Woodstock Middle School.

“I wouldn’t be a school principal without Sister Mary Ruth,” he said. “She was my favorite teacher. I still ask her for advice today about how to do my job. She gives great advice. She taught me to never discipline students in public. Most importantly, though, Sister inspired me to reach for my dreams.” “I don’t feel like I’m 100,” Sister Mary Ruth said, “I feel so happy.”

In a quieter moment, she reflected wistfully on her decades in the classroom.

“They were all peak moments. I wish I could go back and do it all again,” she said. “I miss the children. The students let me know about their troubles and I tried to help them. And the parents were supportive of the teachers. They were for us.”

Sister Mary Ruth said she faced many challenges as time went on.

“(Starting in the 1960s) Drugs were something we had to deal with,” she said. “Computers were a big change. About the children, it was always important to get the students to understand that they would soon be out on their own in the world. I tried to teach them to choose their friends carefully and to talk to their parents. I wanted them to keep their minds on the future.”

Sister Mary Ruth is particularly pleased that several of her former students became priests. Two of them joined DHS Chaplain Richard L. Archambault to celebrate Sunday’s Mass in the provincial house’s chapel. Rev. Robert E. Gariepy, 85, traveled to Putnam from his home in Shrewsbury, Mass. The third priest on Sunday was Leominster native Rev. Donald G. Lozier, OMI, 81.

After Mass, the luncheon in the provincial house’s dining room was well attended by Sister Mary Ruth’s DHS sisters, several former students and many family members – of all ages. Chicopee resident Jamie Piantek, 21, is Sister Mary Ruth’s great-great niece. “What hasn’t she done for me?” The young woman asked rhetorically. “She’s so kind-hearted to everybody. I’m happy that she’s still here.” 

One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of a blessing from Pope Francis for Sister Mary Ruth on her 100th birthday. The parchment from the Vatican was obtained for her by Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, the Bishop of Norwich.

Sister Mary Ruth smiled one last time. “I’ve been so lucky.” 

 

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