Ruth B. (Barngrove) Sauer

Woodstock, VT - Ruth Barngrove Sauer, 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Jack Byrne Center of the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was surrounded by loving family and friends. 

Ruth grew up in New Haven, CT, Mountain Lakes, NJ, and Reading, VT.  She attended Connecticut College for Women in New London, CT, graduating with a B.A. in Studio Arts and Art History.  She completed postgraduate art training at many prestigious art schools. 

Ruth’s art career spanned rural and urban locations.  She had a textile design gallery “Woodprints” in Woodstock Vermont until 1966 when she and Peter and their young family moved to New York City. Ruth continued teaching art and painting in New York City from 1966-1991.  Ruth also worked for the Ford Foundation and as an advocate for special needs children in the office of Mayor Ed Koch.

In 1991 Ruth and Peter retired to Salem, NY.  In 1999 Ruth and Peter invested in downtown Salem when they renovated a downtown building and established North Main Gallery & Studio. Ruth had a studio, organized art exhibitions, sold art, and provided instruction for children and emerging artists. She had an interest in handmade artist-created books and organized an annual Book Arts Summer in Salem, that included exhibitions, artist lectures, workshops, and programs for budding artists.

From 2014-2022, Ruth lived in the historic Armory Park neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona. There she gave free art classes and supported church and cultural events. She will be particularly missed by the residents of Fellowship Square and the many neighbors she met on her daily walks.

In early 2023 Ruth completed her final book, an unfolding paper quilt of collaged panels which was featured at an artist book exhibition at Artistree, in Pomfret, Vermont in June 2023.

Ruth was a woman of confidence, energy and imagination and will be missed. She leaves her daughter Gretchen; her son Christopher Peter Sauer; daughter Hannah; granddaughters Jamie and Lucy Stuart; as well as her sister, nieces, nephews and many loving friends. 

Graveside services for immediate family will be in Salem, NY.  In lieu of flowers or a service please consider donations to the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council. (https://larac.org/donation-form/)

To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com

The McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, Inc. in Salem is assisting the family.

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