RUTH VIOLA CANDAGE
LEVANT - Ruth Viola Candage, 77, went to be with her Lord peacefully on February 21, 2010. She was born October 6, 1932 in Bar Harbor a daughter of Malcolm and Ina (Butler) Salisbury, Sr. She graduated from Bar Harbor High School, Class of 1950 and became a wife and mother of three children. Ruth was active in their lives as a member of the PTA, a leader in 4-H and the Girl Scouts, and was a Cub Scout den mother for many years. She and her husband raised White Faced Herefords donating many to the Baby Beef Club. She also enjoyed showing White Faced Herefords at many state fairs. After she could no longer raise them she developed a deep love and friendship with her Border Collie Princess....a shadow at her heels, they were rarely seen apart. Princess would lay at her feet for hours as she fervently knit the many mittens and socks for family and friends.

She was always a fanatic about making sure the "great white hunters" had plenty of food at lunch time. She never seemed to mind. She loved working in her vegetable and flower gardens, enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels, and watching them each day.

Patrons of the M & M and Killarney's restaurants in Bangor will remember Ruth as a caring waitress who made their visits special. She enjoyed working for many years with her friend and fellow waitress, Alice Poor. The two continued a strong bond well into retirement. Coming into her life much later but bringing Ruth a special friendship and a new peace with her God are friends Rose and David. A special thanks to them for the many Saturday visits and mid week calls. Also a special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Call and Ricky Call who frequently went above and beyond their normal relationship as a neighbor. Thanks also to Dana Crockett who helped Ruth through the many hardships and frustrations of owning a business after her husband passed away.

She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Donald P. Candage, Sr.; her brother Wellington Salisbury, and a sister Herthel Strout.

Ruth is survived by 3 children, Donald Candage, Jr. and wife Brenda of Carmel; Donna Goodspeed and husband Robert, Jr. also of Carmel; and Dennis Candage and fiancée Sheri of Exeter; 7 grandchildren, Craig Goodspeed and wife Amber, Donald "Bucky" Candage and wife Angie, Danika Salah and husband Sam, Amanda Hay and husband Brandon, Joseph Goodspeed and wife Miranda, Stanley Candage and wife Melissa, Robbie Goodspeed and girlfriend Danielle; 11 great grandchildren, Bradley, Brooke, Breanna, Munira, Ibrahim, Zeyad, Abbie, Elijah, Michael, Willow and Madison.

She is also survived by 3 sisters, Virginia, Carolyn, and Annie; and a brother Malcolm, Jr.; as well as many nieces and nephews; as well as special hunters, Rob Green and Vaughn and Donna Douchette.

A memorial service will be held 11 AM Thursday at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main Street, Newport. Spring interment will be in the Waugh Cemetery, Levant.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bangor Humane Society, 693B Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401. Those who wish may leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com.