Ruth M. (Turner) Dow, 80, a longtime resident, died Tuesday March 20, 2007 at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Proctor, April 25, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Leon F. and Pauline (Baker) Turner. She married Percy R. Dow, May 22, 1949 at the Middlebury United Methodist Church. Ruth was employed by New England Telephone, beginning when she graduated from Middlebury High School until her retirement with a time where she raised her children and working on the farm that she and her husband operated. They also owned a maple sugar house, where folks would look forward to "sugaring off parties" that Ruth and Percy would host. She also enjoyed parties at her home for family reunions and for other special occasions. Her kids, nieces and nephews remember the yard stick that she threatened to use, not to measure a line, but to keep those "devilish kids" in line! She was a member of Middlebury United Methodist Church, the women's group and their choir. She also enjoyed the two annual camping trips with friends from church, one at DAR Park and one at Camp Eaton, York Beach, ME Family members include her husband Percy R. Dow of Middlebury, one son, Stephen Dow and his wife Beth of Middlebury, one daughter, Mary Dow and her partner Gina Cooper of Jacksonville, FL; daughter-in-law, Judy Dow of Middlebury; four grandchildren, Paul Dow of Middlebury, Julie Allen and her husband Tim of Ripton, Jonathan Dow of Middlebury, and Sarah Provoncha and her husband Jared of Middlebury; one great granddaughter Molly Allen; two sisters, Betty Laframboise and her husband Raymond of Middlebury, Joyce Sargent of Middlebury; one brother, Richard Turner and his wife Theresa of Poultney, a sister-in-law, Marion Turner of Rutland; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by a son James H. Dow a daughter, Cynthia Anne Dow, a brother, Leon E. Turner and a sister, Alice J. Turner. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 PM Friday, March 23, 2007 at Middlebury United Methodist Church with Rev. Jill Robinson, pastor, officiating. Burial will be later in the spring at Case Street Cemetery, Middlebury. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall, hosted by the UMW group. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Middlebury United Methodist Church 47 North Pleasant St., Middlebury, VT 05753 or to the American Diabetes Association of Vermont, 77 Hegeman Ave., Colchester, VT 05446 Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson Funeral Service, 117 South Main St., Middlebury.