PORTLAND — Ruth G. Leadbetter, 92, died March 9 at the Osher Inn at The Cedars with her family by her side.

Leadbetter was born in Portland on Oct. 26, 1919, to Frank W. and Elotia Noyes Gilman. She attended local schools, attending Deering High School and Westbrook Junior College.

On Oct. 25, 1941, she married James W. Leadbetter at St. Joseph’s Church in Portland.

In 1969 she and her husband opened The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth. In the early 1970s they opened The Candle Shack, a gift shop next door to the restaurant. These two businesses became a destination point for visitors and locals alike each summer. In 2009, the family was honored to receive the Maine Family-Owned Business of the Year Award. She and Jim continued to run The Candle Shack until his death in 2010.

For over 35 years Leadbetter and her husband wintered in Sedona, Ariz., where they were active members of the artisan community. They shared a love of creating pottery. She was skilled at creating fine, delicate pieces. She was a member of the Monday Potters and was also an excellent quilter. In addition to running the gift shop, she enjoyed spending summer time at their cottage on the shore of Little Sebago. She was a communicant of St. Pius X Church.

Leadbetter is survived by her daughter Martha Leadbetter Porch and her husband, Herbert, of Cumberland Center; son Leigh F. Leadbetter and his wife, Sharon, of Sedona, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; five nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Wellness Aids, Nurse Diane and the staff at the Osher Inn for their personal and loving care.

A Mass of Christian Burial took place on March 13 at St. Pius X Church followed by burial at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

Donations in Leadbetter’s memory may be made to Easter Seals Maine, 125 Presumpscot St., Portland, ME 04103 or Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation, 8 Sundance Ln., Newry, ME 04261.


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