Ruth B. Van Kleeck

SPRINGFIELD-Ruth B. Van Kleeck, 87, of Springfield, MA and Marshfield, MA, died October 5, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, MA. Born on June 19, 1926 in Watertown, MA, she was a model in Florida and Arizona. Ms. Van Kleeck acted as a substitute teacher in the Chicopee School System and was a reading tutor at Holyoke Community College. Predeceased by her parents, Edward F. and Margaret (Glancy) Better and a sister, Bette O’Malley, she leaves her son, Neil Van Kleeck and his partner Thomas Olson of NY, NY, daughters, Lisa Crowley (John) of Mount Pleasant, SC and Anne Kathleen Van Kleeck Burdick (Shawn) of North Adams, MA, brother, Edward F. Better III of Cortland, OH, niece, Susan Better, nephew, Bill Better, sister-in-law, Jeanne Moore of Wilbraham, MA and her children: Linda Schultz (John) of Granby, MA, Kathy Ouimette (Chuck) of Southampton, MA and Carol Nicholson (Jack) of Wilbraham, MA; Laura Kinney of Chicopee, MA, Bill and Vivian Van Kleeck of CT, home health aide and caregiver, Julie Sterling and grandchildren: Benjamin and Nicholas Crowley and Amanda and Edward Burdick. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 11:00AM-12:00NOON at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill St., Springfield, MA with a service at 12:00NOON. Visit www.nefcc.net