Kristen Reynolds Ruth, loving mother and wife, gifted teacher and athlete, died on Friday, June 17 at her home in New Canaan surrounded by her loving family. She was 50. Kristen bravely battled cancer for 7 years, and during her fight served as an inspiration for all around her as she was determined to live life to its fullest and serve as a role model for her children – daughters Britt and Meg Gardella, and her son Charles Ruth. In them, her spirit will live on. Kristen was born May 8, 1961, and graduated New Canaan High School and Penn State University. She was a passionate, active person who approached every challenge with great vigor and optimism. She was a beloved school teacher at the Montessori School in Wilton, CT, where she worked for several years, and was a staunch advocate for the Montessori philosophy. Throughout her life Kristen pursued skiing, horseback riding, rollerblading, and golfing, and traveled extensively to her favorite places in Grindewald, Switzerland, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Colorado. Perhaps Kristen’s favorite locations were on the shores of Narragansett and Block Island, RI where she boogie boarded, entertained and relaxed for many years with family and friends. Kristen was the daughter of Ronald E. Reynolds of Scottsdale, AZ and Carolyn Swanson Reynolds of New Canaan, CT. She married Kevin C. Ruth, also a New Canaan native, in June of 2001 on the pier at Noroton Bay on Long Island Sound. They reconnected in 1999 at the New Canaan High School reunion, where they fell in love at first sight and married soon afterward. In addition to her love of travel, teaching, crafting and gardening, Kristen was an enthusiastic chef, known for creating daily gourmet meals with the help of her family. And in the past few years she found another outlet for her creativity as a painter, which she pursued with her sister Britt, a well-known local artist. In addition to her children, parents and husband, Kristen is survived by a large close family including her one sister Britt Bair, and her husband Michael Bair and their two children Alexandra and Jack, who live in Darien, and her cousins Susan Decker, Rick Swanson and their children Maja Decker, and Josh and Nikki Swanson. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at 2:00PM in the United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, Ct. with the Reverend Jon Livingston officiating. Reception to follow at the church. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Kristen Ruth’s name for the education of her children, c/o Kevin Ruth, 87 Jelliff Mill Rd., New Canaan, CT 06840 The Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences and directions please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com