Braintree – Ruth Helen (Cavanaugh) Hartrey, formerly of Braintree, died peacefully, Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the age of 102, at Linden Ponds in Hingham, where she has resided for the last 18 years.

Ruth was born in South Boston, on May 13, 1923, to the late Helen (Joyce) and John J. Cavanaugh. Ruth’s extended family spoke Irish Gaelic in their home and she was very proud of her Irish heritage. They moved to Quincy with her late sister, Jean Scanlon, around 1932.

Ruth graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School in Weymouth and was a graduate of the former Sacred Heart High School, Class of 1941. Beloved wife of the late Daniel J. Hartrey, Sr. for 53 years, they lived in Braintree where they raised their 4 children. She was a devoted mother to the late Paula E. Kahakalau, formerly of Quincy, and Daniel J. Hartrey of Eliot, ME, Ann M. Betts of Dover, NH, and David J. Hartrey who resides with his wife, Laurie, in Bridgewater. Ruth was also a loving grandmother to Joyce Kahakalau, Max Hartrey, Jennifer Martin, Michael Betts, Kerri Bachand and Alison DeVasto. She had eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews across the country.

Ruth was a very artistic woman and had many interests such as painting, ceramics, reading, and particularly musical theatre. She actively enjoyed swimming for many years. She and Dan travelled the world after his retirement and visited every continent except Antarctica. Following Dan’s death, Ruth remained very active with reunions and memorials of the U.S.S. Philadelphia (CL-41), the ship Dan served with in World War II. She donated to many different causes that she had an interest in.

Funeral Services will be conducted at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Tuesday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visitation prior to the service from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Interment Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the United States Navy Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004-2608.

Ruth’s family is very grateful to the staff at Linden Ponds where she lived for the past 18 years. They particularly want to thank the staff at Rose Court there for their loving kindness and generosity of spirit.