Helen Ruot

Helen D. Ruot, of 44 Ryan Street, Middletown, CT died at Heywood-Wakefield Commons, 50 Pine Street, Gardner, MA in her sleep on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Mrs. Ruot was born in Torrington, CT on March 27, 1923, daughter of Josephine Snetowska Duda and Vincent Duda. She attended Wetmore and Torrington High School. During World War II, she worked in the photographic department of Warren McArthur, manufacturers of aircraft seating.

She moved to Middletown, CT in 1949, where her husband joined the Roberts Funeral Home. 

She is survived by two children, William C. Ruot, Jr. (Chuck) of Philadelphia, PA and a daughter Marva R. Swan, of Gardner, MA. The family lived in Portland, CT for many years where Mrs. Ruot was involved in PTA, Cub Scouts, Brownies and the Girl Scouts. She did volunteer work at Middlesex Hospital for the Red Cross and worked on numerous fund-raising drives. 

Helen wrote of herself: She was a homemaker, nature lover and gardener. She loved to cook and sew and did them quite well. She loved cards, scrabble and crossword puzzles. She was most grateful for her beloved children, lovely surroundings, good health and good friends. She felt she was blessed.

But her children want to add (and those who knew her well would agree) she didn’t just do them ‘quite well’, but exceptionally well indeed. Mom was very creative and talented with sewing, decorating and making things beautiful and she gladly shared these talents with all her friends. 

Mom also loved looking at pictures (whether she knew the people or not!) so taking them became a little hobby. She was the self-appointed photographer at all birthday parties and would then put them in a photo album, nicely arranged, duly decorated and dated for a keepsake, which everyone always treasured!

Going through her things – we have found hundreds and hundreds of cards (yes, she kept them all!) that people sent for all occasions – but many to say thank you for something she did that made them feel special. She was a great friend, willing to help, and willing to lend an ear. 

She was a classy lady with a good heart, and we are proud she was our Mom.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Theodore J. Duda, his wife Margaret F. Duda of Glendora, CA, and two of their three sons, Mark Duda and Brian Duda, both of Lake Havasu Arizona. She was also predeceased by her husband, William C. Ruot, his brother and sister-in-law, Edmond and Eleanor Ruot of Fairfield, CT, and two of their three sons, Richard Ruot and David Ruot also from CT. 

She leaves two nephews, Craig Duda of Glendora, CA and Alan Ruot of Lincoln, IL and a great-nephew, Ernie Ruot and his wife, Alisa of Ragley, LA, a great-niece Barbara Ruot Trzcinski and her husband Daniel of Sandy Hook, CT, another great-nephew Brian Ruot and his wife, Jen of Plainville, CT and a great-niece Melissa Ruot of New Britain, CT.