Ruth Shaw MacIlroy

Ruth Shaw MacIlroy, 94, passed away June 9, 2025 at her home in Hermon.
She was born Sept. 18, 1930 in Limestone to Samuel and Blanche Shaw. She graduated from Limestone High School and Becker College in Worcester, Mass.
In the 1980s, Ruth earned the distinction of being the first woman hired to work as a mail carrier at the Houlton Post Office. A long-time employee of the USPS, she also worked for the postal service in Bridgewater, Sherman, Stacyville, East Machias and eventually in Carmel where she retired as postmaster.
Ruth was an active member of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church. She loved to travel, play cards and win a good Scrabble game! She was an incredible cook, always having cookies or homemade bread in the kitchen.
She was predeceased by one daughter, Carol Fergerson; and her siblings, Vaughn Shaw, Bernard Shaw, Marilyn McCourt and Virginia Shaw.
She is survived by her children: Maureen "Micki" and Dan Boutilier of Stonington, Conn.; Gregg and Joyce MacIlroy of Bangor; Paul and Wanda MacIlroy of New Limerick; John and Donna MacIlroy of Havelock, N.C. and Ann and Keith Reilly of Hermon; son-in-law, Mark Fergerson of Newburgh; special nieces, Anne Mundy and Sara Hardy; 11 grandchildren: Scott, Daniel II, Kristie, Sam, Sarah, Adam, Crystal, Christopher, Kyle, Hannah and Jessica; 18 great-grandchildren: Daniel III, Dylan, Chandler, Shaz, Natalie, Ashley, Miles, Ellie, Megan, Steven, Callum, Isabelle, Caroline, Jackson, Magnolia, Rosaleigh, Harrison and Maxwell.
Special thanks to the wonderful hospice team at St. Joseph's and to Bonnie Morton who graciously helped with her care.
A celebration of her life will take place Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 21 Holyoke St., Brewer. Refreshments will follow the service. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to make gifts in her memory may send them to St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, 21 Holyoke St, Brewer, ME 04412 or St. Joseph's Hospice, P.O. Box 403, Bangor, ME 04402-9960.2d:{"dateT