This obituary for Ruth Benway Freeman appeared in the Springfield Union-News on January 26, 2010:

Ruth E. Freeman 1946 - 2010 SPRINGFIELD - Ruth E. Freeman, 63 of Springfield, passed away peacefully Monday, January 25, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born March 14, 1946 in Springfield, MA, she was a daughter to the late Louis R. and Betty E. (Weagle) Benway. She was a 1964 graduate of East Longmeadow High, and a graduate from Barrington College in 1968 with B.A. and ETTA degrees. Ruth taught in the Spfld. Public Schools for 36 years, and trained over 25 student teachers. She organized and ran the first bell chorus for 17 years at Brunton Elementary School, and successfully led the first "laptop for kids" school program. She was nominated three times for both the Teachers' Excellent Award and the "Who's Who Among American Teachers." She was a member of the Rainbow Girls #74, Daughters of the Nile #84, Delta Gappa Gamma, and a member of the First Baptist Church in East Longmeadow. She leaves her loving husband of 39 years Wayne A.; sons Wayne David and his girlfriend, Mary Davis; and Derek Lee and his wife, Jenny; grandchildren Kristopher, Kali, Hannah, and Paige; sister Betty Johnson and her husband, Roger; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Bev and Stanton Wing. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends. A funeral service for Ruth will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 10AM from Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow with burial following in Hillcrest Park Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 4-8PM Wednesday, January 27th at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth's name to Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew St., Spfld., MA 01104 or the E. Longmeadow 1st Baptist Church - Time to Build Fund, 50 Parker St., E. Longmeadow, MA 01028.