Marlborough – Ruth J. (Jaarsma) Cross, 105, died Monday January 3, 2022 after a brief period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Warren A. Cross who died in 1989. They were married for 52 years. She was born in Marlborough, the daughter of the late Klaas “Charles” and Trina (Schmidt) Jaarsma and lived in Marlborough her entire life.
Ruth graduated from Marlborough High School in 1934, married in 1937, and worked at the John Frye Shoe Factory for several years before World War 2. Ruth was a homemaker and was gifted at making handmade crafts and baked goods. She was very active in the First Church (Congregational) and the Women’s Fellowship of the church. Ruth will be remembered for her sense of humor, her love of family and friends, and her keen intelligence and physical abilities that endured well into her advanced age.
She is survived by her daughter Deborah Marino and her husband Francis Marino of Marlborough and her daughter Susan Renner and her husband L. Curtis Renner of Leicester. She is also survived by her three grandchildren Dr. Andrew Marino and his wife Gretchen of Sturbridge, Jennifer Atsma and her fiancé Joseph Lacey of Shirley, and Rebecca Dignam and her husband Ian of Rutland. Ruth leaves five great grandchildren Dylan, Kelsey, Owen, Giuliana, and Jacob and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Edith Jaarsma, Anna (Jaarsma) Wilson, Betty (Jaarsma) Ponti, Johannes (Joe) Jaarsma, Florence (Jaarsma) Trioli, and Frank Jaarsma.
A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
