In 2022, I was new to Acton, and even newer to the Acton Woman’s Club (AWC). It was my first time attending an AWC Wine and Dine event, which was being held in a member’s home. The smiling, quiet woman sitting next to me didn’t have much to say, replying pleasantly, though briefly, to my attempts at conversation. I noticed that she stayed in her seat when others moved around to socialize.
Later on, a man approached to tell me that the woman I had been sitting next to is his wife, and that I should not be surprised if she said something totally unrelated to the conversation. As it happened she had not, but when he said that, I immediately recognized her dementia. First hand experience with dementia gives a person that insight.
The couple I am referring to are Bob and Ruth Anne Malnati.
Ruth Anne Malnati joined the woman’s club in 1979, soon after she and Bob moved from New York to Acton. Not knowing anyone in the area, membership in the club turned out to be a wonderful way for both of them to meet people in the community. Similarly, this writer and her husband had the same experience when joining the Woman’s Club.
Ruth Anne served as the AWC treasurer for about eight years, introducing the laddered CD as an investment strategy. She also served a similar amount of time on the nominating committee, which identifies members with the skills and talents necessary to successfully fill seats on the executive board.
According to Bob, Ruth Anne was an avid collector who went “antiquing” every Wednesday with other interested members. On those days, Bob and the husbands of the other “antiquers” got together, so Bob was able to meet people in the area, too.
Ruth Anne participated in the club’s pie sales, Toys for Tots collections, Square Wheelers, and monthly Wine and Dine gatherings. She and Bob frequently chaperoned the club’s famous dance classes.
Long-time AWC member Carolyn Kilpatrick remembers Ruth Anne and Bob as one of the 12 or more couples attending the monthly Wine and Dine dinner, which was simultaneously held at the homes of three different members. “The same menu was served at all three houses,” explained Kilpatrick, “then everyone would go to one of the three houses for dessert!”
Ruth Anne had not only been a member who contributed her time and talent to the club, she was also a person who enjoyed its many activities. Even during her struggles with Alzheimer’s Disease, she wanted to continue to attend club events. “One of Ruth’s greatest joys as she suffered was the many friendships from the AWC,” said Bob. “She wanted to go to as many meetings, wine and dines, field trips, and pie sales as possible.” And Bob took her.
Ruth Anne passed away in January. Bob is honoring her memory with a granite bench, which was delivered and installed on June 19. A crane and dolly were required to lift and position the 900-pound bench into its place on the grounds of the clubhouse located at 504 Main Street. A dedication ceremony for the memorial bench was held on June 30.
Bob spoke at the dedication ceremony describing Ruth Anne’s fondness for the club, her participation in its many social and benevolent activities, and her contributions to the running of the club over her 47-year membership. He explained that June 18, the day before the delivery and installation of the bench, would have been her 90th birthday, making her a member of AWC for more than half her life.
At the conclusion of Bob’s remarks and the dedication of the bench, attendees moved inside the clubhouse for ice cream, cookies and socializing.
I imagine that Ruth Anne was there in spirit, pleased and quietly smiling as she was the day I met her.
Joan Milnes is a member of the Acton Woman’s Club, a retired director of university internships and career services, and a former food columnist for the Beverly Citizen. She and her husband live in Acton.
