LANCASTER - Ruth E. Lamsa, 86, lived her life with courage until she died suddenly Feb. 17, 2012.

She was born in Fitchburg, and was a graduate of Fitchburg High School and the Burbank Hospital School of Nursing. She lived in Shutesbury for 50 years with her husband, Arvo Lamsa, who died in 2009.

Ruth was employed at Cooley Dickenson Hospital in Northampton, and was a longtime camp nurse, "Shep," at Camp Anderson in Shutesbury for many happy summers. She moved back to the Fitchburg area to live with her daughter, Lorna Lamsa of Lancaster. She also leaves a brother, Paul Prokopas of Tennessee; two grandchildren, Jessica Patton Pellegrino and Daniel Patton; a great-granddaughter, Stellina Pellegrino; and several nieces and nephews.

Many thanks for the wonderful care she received during her stay at the Life Care Center of Leominster. Services are private; her remains will be interred with her husband's at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. The Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster, is assisting the family with arrangements. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net.