Ruth Harriet Kulpa, widow of Robert H. Kulpa of Moodus, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning. She was the daughter of Roger L. Goff and Mildred (Hall) Goff of East Hampton. Ruth is survived by her daughter Roberta "Bobbi" Shorthouse and husband Denys Shorthouse of Moodus; granddaughter Victoria and husband Rich Fielding, great grandchildren Owen, Evelyn, and Whitney of East Hampton; grandson Alex and wife Sarah (Luchenbill) Shorthouse of Hebron, great grandchildren Abigail, Lily, and Jacob.

During her early working career Ruth was a bookkeeper at the Gong Bell Manufacturing Company, executive assistant to Ted Hilton Jr. at Hilton's Resort, and bookkeeper at the East Haddam School System. Ruth was a past member of the Moodus Methodist Church and enjoyed spending summers reading under the trees at their home and real estate office on the lower Moodus Reservoir. She was a past member of the Nathan Hale Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her ancestors include Moses Cook of Middle Haddam (Chatham), Caleb Dart of New London, Nehemiah Gates of Chatham (East Hampton), Adonijah Strong of Chatham (Colchester), Constant Welch of Chatham (Colchester), and William Welch of Chatham (East Hampton).

Services at Biega Funeral Home will be private. Ruth will join her husband at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown.

Ruth's family is profoundly grateful to the nurses, aides, and staff at Chestelm Health & Rehabilitation Center for their years of unfailing care and compassion. Special thanks and deep gratitude to Middlesex Hospital Hospice and Brian Keldsen, Hospice Chaplain. In lieu of cards or flowers, the next time you are at the East Haddam Free Public Library or East Hampton Library drop in a donation to the Friends of the Library.