South Ryegate , VT– Ruth Ann (Eastman) Hatch, 68, of Church Street, lost her battle with ovarian cancer, on January 16, 2018, at her daughter, Karen's home, with her daughters by her side.

Ruth was born in Haverhill, NH, on September 30, 1949, to Carroll Clifton "Cliff" and Eldora (Chamberlin) Eastman.  Ruth grew up in Groton, VT, graduating with the last class from Groton High School in 1967.  On February 14, 1969, she married Dean Delavan Hatch.  They purchased a home in South Ryegate, where they raised their three daughters.

In the early 1970's, Ruth and Dean became very interested in the antique business and enjoyed attending auctions.  Thus began a thirty year career doing antique shows all along the Eastern Seaboard.  Ruth worked for Eaton Auction Service and later for Uriah Wallace Auction Service.

Following Dean's death, Ruth and her daughter, Karen, opened the Antique Rose Florist in Woodsville, NH. In 2011, Ruth opened Country Chique Antiques and purchased the former 111 Club building on Central Street in Woodsville.  The Antique Rose moved into the same building and both businesses are run side-by-side, today.

Ruth loved gardening, cooking, auctions, talking about antiques, and spending time with her family.  She enjoyed going to the beach and collecting seashells.  She treasured time spent with her favorite granddaughter, Emily Ruth.  They enjoyed fishing together and challenging each other's wits.

Ruth was predeceased by her mother, Eldora Eastman on September 26, 1970; her father, Cliff Eastman on April 5, 2009; twin stillborn sons on October 17, 1971; her husband, Dean Hatch on October 1, 2004; and her daughter, Heather Ruth McLaughlin on October 10, 2016.

Ruth is survived by two daughters, Karen J. Rathburn and husband Chris of South Ryegate and Dawn E. Blanchard and husband Doug of Woodsville; four grandchildren, Emily Ruth Blanchard of Woodsville, Jacob and Joshua McLaughlin of Hendersonville, TN and Sophia Blanchard of Tilton, NH;  two sisters, Codie "Gay" Rockwood and husband Tim of Hartland, VT and Lois Farley and fiancé` Ted Powell of Nashville, TN; two brothers, Robert Eastman and wife Victoria of Port Orchard, WA and Dean Eastman and wife Pamela of Sutton, VT; as well as nieces Courtnie, Casey, and Carrie Eastman and nephews Tyler Rockwood and Carson Farley.  She is also survived by sister-in-law Clara Puffer of Monroe, NH and brother-in-law Clifford Hatch and wife Bev of Groton; nieces and nephews on the Hatch side of the family; and a very special caregiver and niece, Deborah Milnor, who spent 3 ½ years going to doctor appointments and spending nights with her in the hospital.  Ruth and Deborah spent a lot of time laughing and talking their way through a rough journey with cancer.

Calling hours will be on Monday, January 22, 2018 from 5-7 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville.

A memorial service will be on Tuesday, January 23 at 2 PM at Ricker Funeral Home with Melissa Gould as Funeral Celebrant.

A private burial will be observed by Ruth's family in Pinehurst Cemetery, South Ryegate, in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medial Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.