Judith Gail Ruttenberg

AUBURN – Judith Gail Ruttenberg, 80, passed away at her home in Auburn on Oct. 27, 2021.

Gail was born in Presque Isle on Jan. 9, 1941, a daughter of the late Edwin and Dorothy (Irvin) Allen. She grew up on her family potato farm in Westfield. At the age of 7, she accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and when she was 9 years old, she knew she wanted to be a missionary nurse.

She graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1959 and attended Maine Medical Center School of Nursing, Gail began searching for a mission organization to help to pursue her dream of serving as a missionary nurse overseas. She attended Columbia Bible College in South Carolina and joined the mission HCJB with the plan of serving in Ecuador. After graduating and attending language school in Costa Rica, Gail spent the next eight years in Ecuador sharing God’s love through nursing and friendships.

In 1973 while back in the United States, she met her husband, David Ruttenberg, they married in October 1973. They continued the work of sharing God’s love stateside. They had three children together: Matthew, Daniel, and Sarah.

Gail also had a love for Spanish interpreting and as a doula and assisted many women in bringing their children into this world. She loved serving on the missions committee at her church, East Auburn Baptist Church and being a friendly, welcoming person to anyone in need. Gail loved to laugh, sing, play the piano, being a social butterfly, and her family.

She is survived by her husband, David; her children Matthew, Daniel and his wife Krissy, Sarah Kotecha and her husband Chris; along with her grandchildren Connor, Abigail, and Noah.

Online condolences can be shared at http://www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

Visitation will be held on Friday 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday Nov. 5 at East Auburn Baptist Church, 560 Park Ave. Auburn. Funeral will be on Saturday 11 a.m. also at East Auburn Baptist Church.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Homes, 217 Turner St., Auburn. 783-8545.

Donations can be made to East Auburn Baptist Church with memo for missions

560 Park Ave.,

Auburn, ME 04210 or

Lewiston Church of the Brethren

with memo “Oasis”

c/o Jen Keller,

387 Leeds Junction Rd.,

Wales, ME 04280