Ruth Abbie McLucas Knight

Ruth Abbie McLucas Knight February 14, 1934 – September 28, 2025 In Loving Memory Remembering a Life Well Lived It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ruth Abbie McLucas Knight, who departed this life on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the Gorham House Retirement Center in Gorham, Maine. Surrounded by family and friends who visited throughout the day, Ruth was lovingly ushered into heaven with gratitude from all who knew her for a life that touched countless hearts with warmth, humor, and compassion for over 90 years. Born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1934, in Westbrook, Maine, Ruth embodied a life filled with love, adventure, and optimism. _________________________________________________________________________________ Early Life and Family Ruth’s mother, Phyllis Cotton McLucas, passed away just five days after Ruth’s birth—an absence that remained one of Ruth’s deepest regrets. Yet she was blessed with the steadfast devotion of her father, Millard McLucas, who courageously raised his little girl on his own during the Great Depression. Turning down offers of adoption, Millard became Ruth’s greatest champion, shaping her strong spirit and receiving her lifelong gratitude. She grew up on a farm in rural Brownfield, Maine, raised by her father and supported by his sisters, especially her beloved Aunt Emma Meserve. She also began her lifelong love of cows by helping her Uncle Bert milk them and make butter. When her father’s work took him away, Ruth also spent time with a generous family on Windham Hill, the James Watkins’, who gave her another loving home. One of the most formative events of her childhood was surviving the 1947 Brownfield Fire, which destroyed most of the town. Ruth escaped the flames carrying her most treasured possessions—her dolls. Following the fires she consoled neighbors; both acts reflected her courage and her lifelong passion for caring and helping those who needed a hand. Ruth’s zest for life was evident early. At Sebago Lake one summer, friends dared her to enter a lakeside beauty pageant. Always ready for adventure, Ruth borrowed a swimsuit, entered the contest, and—much to her father’s surprise when he read about it in the newspaper—was crowned Miss SebagoLand. Ruth attended local Windham schools, where she formed friendships that lasted nearly a century. She graduated in 1952 from Windham High and was a lifelong member of the Windham High School Alumni Society. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Marriage and Family Ruth first married Trafton Plaisted, and together they settled in bucolic Windham Hill near her childhood ties with the Watkins family. They had two sons, John and Michael, and Ruth embraced motherhood with enthusiasm, baking whoopie pies, leading Boy Scout adventures, singing alongside her boys in the Sunday School choir, and volunteering wherever she was needed. Later she divorced, and Ruth entered the workforce with her trademark resilience and determination to support her young family. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Career and Accomplishments Ruth’s career was as varied as it was memorable. She waitressed at Friendly’s Ice Cream in Westbrook (a job her sons loved for obvious reasons), she later became head of security at Maine Medical Center in Portland and proudly introduced the first photo ID system there—making the news again when she photographed the hospital’s president for his badge. She went on to manage Things Remembered, a gift and engraving shop in the Maine Mall, where her love of meaningful keepsakes shone through. Ruth’s life took a joyful turn when she married her beloved husband, Frank “Cliff” Knight in 1974, with whom she shared many adventures. Together they lived for a time in Alaska, then returned to Maine to run Knight’s Olde Country Store in Lovell, a unique and cherished antiques venture. They traveled widely in their camper trailer, embracing the freedom of the open road. Ruth’s passions included history, antiques, and books. She volunteered as a docent at the Tate House and Longfellow House in Portland, and was active in historical societies in Brownfield, Hiram, Lovell, Windham, and Westbrook—where she was honored as a Lifetime Member. And of course, Ruth was known for her dedication to her weekly hair appointments, famously convincing Cliff to drive her 47 miles through a snowstorm so she wouldn’t miss one. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Legacy Ruth is survived by her son Michael Plaisted of Gorham, ME, and her daughter-in-law Peggy Plaisted of Plano, TX, widow of Ruth’s eldest son, John Plaisted, who predeceased her. She was also preceded in death by her dear husband and partner in adventure, Frank “Cliff” Knight (2006). Her cherished family includes her granddaughter Allison Plaisted Loucks and husband Stewart, and their children Lorelei, Barrett, and Evelynn, all of Plano, TX. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Lindsay Knight and family, Stacey Knight Buswell and family, and Driscinda Knight Smith, husband Robert, and family, who faithfully showered her with flowers and love. Ruth leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews, especially Rebecca Farnsworth, who lavished her with years of loving care, as well as countless friends and a circle of devoted caregivers who became like family in her final years. Ruth will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, boundless optimism, and radiant smile that would light up any room. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Funeral Arrangements Arrangements are being handled by Dolby Blais & Segee Funeral Home in Westbrook, ME. A memorial service will be held at Windham Hill United Church of Christ on Sunday, October 19; 2:00 PM, with a reception immediately to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will take place Tuesday, October 21; 1:00 PM at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Hiram, ME. All are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to the Westbrook Maine Historical Society, or St. Judes Children’s Hospital. ____________________________________________________________________________________ From a Charles Dickens quote in one of her favorite books, A Tale of Two Cities, Ruth summed up her life as: “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times”. Ruthie will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those who loved her.

Ruth Abbie McLucas Knight

February 14, 1934 - October 3, 2025

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