Ruth Louise (Schildgen) Bontempo, 92, of Boothbay and Naugatuck, Conn., died peacefully on August 2, 2014 at a Bangor hospital.

Ruth was born in Waterbury, Conn., on February 4, 1922, the daughter of William Frederick “Doc” and Amelie “Molly” (Lowenthal) Schildgen.

Ruth graduated from Naugatuck High School in Naugatuck, Conn. and Pratt Institute of Design in Brooklyn, N.Y. For many years she worked as a footwear designer for Uniroyal in her hometown of Naugatuck. Ruth lived in Naugatuck for much of her life until she was encouraged to move to Maine in December of 2000, where she lived at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor until recently when she moved to Dirigo Pines in Orono to be closer to her daughter, Carol.

Ruth grew up on a farm and loved animals. She enjoyed gardening, a love that was passed onto her daughter. She was a member of the Sweet Adeline’s for 25 years and enjoyed many other forms of music and art, as well as her beloved cat, Filbert.

Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Edward; and her siblings, William, Robert, Edith and Alice.

She is survived by her son, Edward Robert Bontempo of Concord, N.H.; daughter, Carol Jeanne (Bontempo) Smith and her husband Vinal S. Smith, whom Ruth thought of as a son; one cousin, Allene Allen of Naugatuck, Conn.; nieces, Jean Loomis of Connecticut, Donalyn Cohen of Massachusetts, and Julie Schildgen of Washington state; nephews, Duncan Slade of Boothbay and Robert Lounsbury of Florida. Carol and Vinal wish to thank the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital for their wonderful care of Ruth during this time.

Interment will be held at a later date at St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck, Conn.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.brookingssmith.com.