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Ruth Lessard
In Memory of
Ruth N.
Lessard (Shaw)
1948 - 2018
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Obituary for Ruth N. Lessard (Shaw)

Ruth N.  Lessard (Shaw)
Dracut - Ruth N (Shaw) Lessard, 69, passed away with her family by her side after losing a courageous battle with leukemia on Monday, January 29, 2018. She was the wife of the late Kenneth Ahlquist who died in December of 2014.

Born in Lowell, October 1, 1948 daughter of Nancy (Kinports) Shaw of Dracut, who survives her and the late Warren Shaw Sr.

Ruth started working at her family's business, Shaw Farm Dairy, at a young age and continued to work there through much of her adult life. She was a co-founder of ML Shaw's Restaurant in Dracut that opened in 1986. Ruth was also a real estate agent in the Dracut area for many years mostly working for Laer Realty.

She was a lifelong member of Christ Church United in Dracut where she also served as the organist for several years. She enjoyed trivia, flower gardening and was a member of the Dracut Historical Society. She loved the beach especially the seacoast area of New Hampshire and Southern Maine.

In addition to her mother she is survived by her son, Keith Lessard and his wife Kim of Dracut, a daughter Kris Lessard of Dracut, a step son Chris Ahlquist and step daughter Brooke Raitt both of Maine, a brother, Warren Shaw Jr. of Dracut, and his companion Mary Jane McArdle of Tyngsboro, two sisters Linda Shaw and her husband Marcel Dery of Westford and Susan Shaw and her companion Tim Savage of Dracut, four grandchildren Katie and Kyle Lessard, Emily and Elizabeth Dobson, three step grandchildren Sailor, Vandon and Lewis of Maine, many nieces and nephews and her beloved dog Peanut.

It was truly inspiring to family and friends the way she fought this long battle, never giving up, maintaining a positive attitude throughout and all the while continuing to think of others. Hopefully she and Ken are once again dancing around in the kitchen "upstairs".

Ruth's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Lowell General Hospital Cancer Center for the care and comfort they provided her. Donations in her name can be made to Teamwalk for Cancer Care at:

Lowell General Cancer Center,in memory of Ruth Lessard, Philanthropy Office,295 Varnum Ave.,Lowell, MA 01854.


ARRANGEMENTS-Friends may call at DRACUT FUNERAL HOME 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT on Friday 4 until 8 pm. Her Funeral Service will take place at 10 am, Saturday, February 3rd, at Christ Church United 10 Arlington St., Dracut. Burial will be private. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to: Teamwalk for Cancer Care at: Lowell General Cancer Center, Philanthropy Office, 295 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854. For directions, or to leave an online condolence, story, or message, please visit www.dracutfuneralhome.com, or find us on Facebook under “Dracut Funeral Home.”

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Ruth N. Lessard (Shaw), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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