BATH — Ruthe Elizabeth Pagurko, 63, died in her sleep at home on Sept. 28. She was born in Barre, Vt., in 1949, the daughter of George and Ruth Donahue. She came to Bath and was raised by Kenneth and Helen Murray.  

She married John Pagurko Jr. on May 20, 1978. They had two children, Jennifer and Jamie, and spent many years together as a family. She was known as “Foofy” to the children who attended her home day-care. She always had cookies and her special peanut-butter squares nearby.

Pagurko was dedicated to helping her community through civic, church and neighborhood activities. Despite dealing with health challenges, she continued to fulfill all of her commitments. She was a faithful public servant who served as a city councilor for eight years.

Pagurko worked to help all those in need and her volunteerism was boundless. She helped with the Christmas and Heritage Day parades, the Bath Soup Kitchen, the Girl Scouts, the Maine Maritime Museum, the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra and the Maine Music Theater.

She was named the Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary, and received Main Street Bath’s Spirit of Bath Award and President’s Award. She also served on the boards of Main Street Bath, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, the First Baptist Church and the Salvation Army.

In addition, she worked to support many civic groups, including the Bath Senior Citizens Center, Bath Community Policing, the American Legion, Regional School Union #1 and the Elder Abuse Task Force.

Pagurko was predeceased by her husband, John, in 1995.

She is survived by daughter Jennifer and her husband, Kevin Becze, of Jacksonville, Fla.; daughter Jamie and her husband, Lessie White Jr., of Boothbay; sister Pat Donahue, of Barre, Vt.; and four grandchildren, Sophie White, Lessie White III, Isabella Becze and Madelyn Becze.

Funeral services were held Oct. 2 at the First Baptist Church in Bath. Donations may be made to the many organizations in which Pagurko participated.

To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.

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Ruthe Elizabeth Pagurko