| FEBRUARY 3, 2009 -- Martha Ruth (DeMars) Richards, 94, died on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. She was a lifelong resident of Winsted who lived most of her life in the home her grandfather built. She was born Feb. 8, 1914, in Winsted, the daughter of the late Frank DeMars and Martha (Harrison) DeMars. She was also predeceased by her husband, Fred Richards and a sister, Cynthia Stevens.
Martha graduated from Gilbert High School, then from New Britain Teachers' College in 1937 (now Central Connecticut State University) and taught first grade at Winsted's Greenwoods School for 33 years. She was proud of her family's long history in Winsted and the surrounding area and often talked about previous generations as if it was only yesterday. Much of her information came from diaries her father kept during his life. She was an organic gardener before it was popular and delighted in growing unusual varieties of vegetables and flowers. She cherished her tea roses. In addition to reading stories to her nieces and nephews, she often told them from memory. She was a member of the DAR, Victory Grange (had earned a Seventh Degree) and Riverton Grange, the Garden Club, Delta Kappa Gamma and participated in the Riverton Fair for years.
She is survived by a brother, F. Harrison DeMars and by her beloved stepson Fred Richards (Winsted) and stepdaughter Barbara Sharfman (Yorba Linda, CA). She also leaves nieces and nephews, Peg Giles, Andrea Walsh, Doug, Jim and Greg Stevens, Elizabeth Beyus, Diana Esta Green, many great nieces and great nephews, step-grandchildren and great step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Montano-Shea Funeral Home, 922 Main Street, Winsted at 2 p.m. Burial will be held in the spring. Friends may call on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Montano-Shea Funeral Home, Winsted from noon to 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frank DeMars Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Gilbert School, 200 Williams Avenue, Winsted, CT 06098. Visit an online guestbook at Montano-Shea.com.
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