PUNTA GORDA, Florida — Ruth Jean Wakeford, age 81, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2022. She was born March 24, 1941, in Damariscotta, Maine to Earl and Margaret Melgard.

Jean loved her family and many, many friends. She loved to spend time with her family and would travel to New England to see family and all the friends she made over the years.

Jean and her late husband, James Wakeford, enjoyed many years together spending time at their homes in Punta Gorda, Florida, and Rose City, Michigan. Jean was often out shopping, always looking for a good sale, while Jim spent hours working on their sailboat. They both enjoyed spending time with friends and they hosted many parties at their house in Punta Gorda.

Jean spent much of her time helping others. She volunteered in both Florida and Michigan, always looking to help others in need. It suited her long history of working in healthcare as the Director of Volunteer Services for both New England Rehabilitation Hospital and Whittier Rehabilitation. Her love for helping others was always at the forefront. She was always donating whatever she could to the Peace River Wildlife Center, magazines to local hospitals, and donating (and shopping) at her local Habitat for Humanity.

Her life was a living example of caring for others, Ephesians 4:32 — “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

Jean is survived by her three sons, one daughter and their spouses Michael and Diane Cavic, Mark and Paige Cavic, Matthew Cavic, Michelle and Dennis Proulx; her sister Andrea Weltman; grandchildren, Michael Cavic, Kathryn Cavic, Kirsten Cavic, Christopher Cavic, Andrea Cavic, Nicholas Cavic, Holly Riley, Jack Cavic, Shawn Cavic, Emily Cavic, Ashley Cavic, Daniel Cavic, Pierce Brown and Cooper Brown; sisters-in-law, Mary Melgard and Mildred Melgard, plus 8 great-grandchildren and her many cousins, nephews, and nieces. 
 
Jean was also the bonus mom to Sylvia VonSacken, Marc Silvagni, and Sandy Silvagni. All of whom she loved and touched deeply.

A graveside service will be held Friday, November 4, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the Village Cemetery, Erin Street, Thomaston, Maine. 

A celebration of life will be held in Punta Gorda in January 2023 - date to be announced.

Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 78 Main Street, Thomaston, Maine has care of the arrangements.

To extend online condolences to the family visit Ruth's Book of Memories at hallfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice House, 1158 Veronica Street, Port Charlotte, Florida 33952 or Peace River Wildlife Center, 3400 Ponce De Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950