Shrewsbury – Ruth V. (Hemenway) Jakubiak of Shrewsbury passed away peacefully at the age of 101 years on Tuesday December 21, 2021 at the Holy Trinity nursing and Rehabilitation center in Worcester MA.
Born in 1920, she was the daughter of James L. Hemenway of Rochester, NY and Pauline Tripp of Manchester NH. Ruth grew up in the Indian Hill section of Worcester and attended Worcester public schools. In 1938, she graduated from Commerce High School where she studied to be a secretary, fell in love with music, learned to play the banjo, and met a handsome accordion player son of Polish immigrants from Vernon Hill.They married in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and went to Europe during the summer of 1944. Their son was born during the winter of 1944. Ruth was married 67 years to the late Chester H. Jakubiak Sr. who predeceased her in 2009.
Ruth is survived by her son Chet Jakubiak and his wife Carolyn of Grafton, her daughter Nancy Colby and her husband Skip, and her daughter Paula Lupton and her husband Bradshaw all of Shrewsbury. She leaves grandsons Jamie Colby and wife Tracy, Seth Colby and fiancé Jonathan Brennand all of Shrewsbury, Nathan Colby and husband Michael Lapomardo of Worcester, Shaw Lupton and wife Liz of Boston and David Jakubiak and wife Bridget of Brookfield, Illinois. Ruth also leaves six great-grandchildren, Cady, Kelly, Gavin, Kaitlyn, Aiden and Anya.
Ruth loved camping in her trailer throughout New England and square dancing with her many friends. She loved reading, quilting, drawing and gardening. She was active in her community and proud never to have missed voting in a single election. In 2020 during her 100 th birthday party she was honored by the presentation of The Key to the City of Worcester. During her 101st birthday Ruth was surprised to receive a Facetime call from her family in the mid-west. When they sang “Happy Birthday” to her, the youngest of the family members, a nine year old, played the song happy birthday on the banjo her great, great grandmother had played in high school.
The members of Ruth’s family appreciate the care, attention and love given to her for many years by the staff and managers of Holy Trinity and to the many friends, fellow residents she had at Holy Trinity. Thank you all!
Memorial Donations can be made to the Activities Department, Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 300 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606-2476.
The Chiampa Funeral Home, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, assisted with arrangements.
