Ruth Souther
(Torrey) Uhlendorff
1927-2023
Ruth Torrey Uhlendorff, formerly of Franklin, ME died October 15, 2023 in Mansfield, MA at the age of 96. She was born March 19, 1927 in Pittsfield, MA to Lester W. Souther and Helen Ballard Reed Souther. Raised in Windsor, MA, she graduated from Dalton High School, and studied at Green Mountain College in Vermont. In her professional life, she built a successful piano teaching studio, played the piano and organ, and led the choir at Grace Church Congregational in Pittsfield, ME, and later at Ellsworth United Methodist, ME and Franklin United Methodist Churches, ME.
She married Richard M. Griffing, from Oneida, NY. in Pittsfield, MA and together they raised 3 children. He passed away in 1968. In 1973, she married George S. Torrey of Pittsfield, and shortly thereafter, retired to Franklin, ME. In their retirement, Ruth devoted herself to her gardens, cooking, and music, becoming a beloved member of the community. George Torrey passed away in 2010, and in 2015, she married Lewis F. Uhlendorff of Smyrna, DE. After dividing their time between DE and ME for a few years, Ruth and Lewis settled into his Smyrna home year-round.
She is survived by her daughters Pamela Griffing Padilla (Kenneth) of Klamath Falls, OR., and Sally Griffing Fehervari (Wilhelm) of Mansfield, MA, and stepdaughters Betty-Ann Torrey Hamm of Dalton, MA and Connie Uhlendorff Keen (Robert) of Smyrna, DE. She is also survived by her grandson Sean Selseth of Klamath Falls, step-grandsons Stephen E. Hamm of Longwood, FL, David R. Hamm (Sherri) of Hancock, MA, Michael Keen (Melinda), of Smyrna, DE, Brooks Keen (Donna), of Smyrna, DE, and Jeff Dorman of Tucson, AZ.
She was predeceased by her parents, spouses Lewis F. Uhlendorff, George S. Torrey, and Richard M. Griffing, and son Donald R. Griffing.
There will be a burial service at the High Street Cemetery in Hingham, MA and a Celebration of Life in Franklin, ME in the spring of 2024.