Ruth V. (Lindgren) Stevens, 87, of Wenham, wife of the late Philip W. Stevens, died in her home Monday, February 6, 2017 following her brief illness.

Born in Ipswich, she was the daughter of the late Hilmer H. and Grace (Whittier) Lindgren. Following graduation from Ipswich High School in 1947 and Salem Teacher’s College in 1951, she moved to Marblehead where she taught school.

Ruth married in 1953 and settled in Wenham, where in addition to raising a family she was very active in church and town affairs. For many years she taught school in both Hamilton and Wenham. Ruth served as the director of the WVIS playground for sixteen years and Voter Registrar for fifteen years. She was a fifty year member of the First Church in Wenham, where she served as their financial secretary. She was also a  dedicated volunteer at the Wenham Museum and the Ipswich Visitor Center. Ruth was an avid birder and member of  the Audubon Society. She was fond of children and enjoyed entertaining in her home and garden.

She is survived by three sons, Philip W. Stevens, Jr. of Hamilton, Richard C. Stevens and his wife Roslyn of Washington, DC, and Bradford W. Stevens and his wife Bridget of Amesbury; two grandchildren, Timothy W. and Alyssa M. Stevens both of Amesbury; a sister, Charlotte H. Winslow of Auburndale; a brother, David T. Lindgren and his wife Dora of Washington, DC; a sister-in-law, Ann McAniff of Amesbury, and many nephews and nieces.

Her funeral service will be held  2 pm Saturday, February 11 in the First  Church in Wenham, Main Street (Rt. 1A). Wenham. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Friday 4 to 7 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. Her interment in the Wenham Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name  may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.