Brattleboro- Ruth Eunice Tromble Gates, 92, of Melrose Street, died peacefully Thursday evening, July 28 with her son, daughter, and grandson by her side at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Ruth was born in Springfield, MA on December 9, 1918, the daughter of Raymond and Mildred (Nelson) Tromble. She was raised and educated in Springfield where she attended and graduated from public schools. Ruth lost her mom when she was five-years-old and was raised by her maternal grandmother, Mathilda Ohlson Nelson Sansoucy. She was employed for many years as a proofreader at American-Stratford in Brattleboro and earlier at Vermont Print. Previously she worked as a sales associate at Simonds Jewelry Store in Brattleboro and as a typist for the late Halifax author Richard Winston. Ruth is a former member of the B.P.O. Elks Emblem Club, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, and Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed playing cards, doing puzzles, taking bus trips, and dancing. Ruth was active with the Silver Liners Dance Troup of Brattleboro for several years. Ruth was known for her spirit of friendship and easy-going personality. On January 23, 1947 in Chicopee, MA she married Henry A. Gates, her loving husband of 54 years, who predeceased her in August 2001. She will be greatly missed and forever loved by her son, Henry "Skip" Gates, Jr. and family of Skowhegan, ME, her daughter, Nancy Gauthier and family of Brattleboro, her brother, Raymond Trombley, Jr. of Wilbraham, MA and her sister, Patricia Gougen of Chicopee. Additionally she leaves her legacy of always seeing the very best in all people to her six grandchildren, three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She lost a grandson, William Henry Philbrick Gates, in March 2009. Graveside committal services will be conducted Friday at 10:00 A.M. in the Gates family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street. There are no calling hours at the funeral home. A reception will follow at the Melrose Terrace community room. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Ruth's name may be made to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Ruth's immediate family wish to convey their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the staff and management at Pine Heights Nursing Home for the wonderful care and compassion shown during her stay at the facility and especially to Dr. Robert Tortolani for his many, many years of compassionate care.