Obituary for Ruth Marie Michaud

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I was saddened to learn of Ruth's passing. She was one of a kind--an excellent teacher in her quiet, compassionate way. We always counted it a blessing that both of our children were fortunate enough to sit in her classroom. I remember the graduation ceremony where she was the faculty speaker. I believe it was1985. She mentioned every single graduate by name and said something positive (and true) about each one. It was remarkable and memorable to those of us listening and even more so to those students whose names seldom got mentioned, I'm sure. With sincere sympathy to Norman, Nate and family, Sharon Hill

Norman, I have been gone from Mount Vernon for many years, and I scarcely knew you when I was there. But I want you to know that Ruth was with no question the best English teacher that I ever hired! Decades of Mount Vernon students (including my own children) were the beneficiaries in a huge way. Be very proud! I plan to make a donation to the Mount Vernon Schools Foundation in her memory. Winston Addis, Superintendent of Schools, 1973-1982

Dear Norm, I worked with you at ACT for a few years on the Benesse project, and I just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you in the loss of your wife. I am also good friends with Sandra Bolton, who worked with Ruth for many years at Mt. Vernon High School, where I know she was a much admired, respected, and loved teacher.

Those of us who had the great fortune to learn from Mrs. Michaud know that we have lost one of the great ones. Thank you, Ruth, for sharing your rich knowledge of literature and for demanding the best of your students. You will be missed.

I'm very saddened to hear of the passing of Ruth Michaud. She was far and away my favorite teacher at Mount Vernon High School and had a huge influence on my life afterwards. My condolences to her family.

I am saddened by the loss of Ruth Michaud..an amazing teacher, role model and friend. My deepest condolences go to her family.

Mrs. Michaud was an exceptional teacher and a wonderful person who truly cared in the success of her students. I still remember the heated debate we had in her class over the banning of books, with "Johnny Got His Gun" as the jumping off point. She challenged us to look at the world differently. As an editor, I still think about her sensible outlook on punctuation, which was, if it makes sense without it leave it out. She was a mentor to so many and will be missed. My condolences to her family and loved ones.

Ms. Michaud never had to raise her voice to capture the attention of her students. Her grace and intelligence captured our attention as if we were honored by the presence of an award winning legendary actress. The sweet smile and twinkle in her eyes moved us all deeper into the subject and encouraged intelligent discussions and questions. We'd do anything to please her, even try to do our best with the literature that wasn't all that interesting. An angel on earth, now flying about with her own kind - such an amazing woman to change the outlook of so many students!!

I was so sorry to hear about the loss of Mrs Michaud... she was an amazing teacher. Firm, but always fair. I took every class of hers available from the mandatory English to Creative Writing and even Speech where we had some amazing debates with her guidance. Seems like we were always debating Abortion and there was always a heated discussion, but did it never got out of hand. Mrs Michaud always let us express ourselves as long as we showed the same courtesy to others. I have to admit though, I'm being very careful about how I write these thoughts because I'm sure she's proofing them from heaven :o) !!!!

"I died for Beauty, but was scarce adjusted in the tomb, When one who died for Truth was lain in an adjoining room...." The beginning of another great Emily Dickinson poem, and they all remind me of Ruth Michaud, because Emily is my favorite poet and Ruth was a favorite teacher for my two oldest children, Katie and Nate Freeman. She spoke of how the high school hallways were tough places, but within her classroom there was sanctuary. And true learning. She retired too early and passed away too soon. An extraordinary teacher and woman. Condolences to Norman, Nathaniel and family. Abbi Swanson

All of my best to Mr. Michaud, Nat, Carol and Alexander in this most difficult time. I was very fortunate to know Mrs. Michaud in a couple of ways that greatly influenced my life. First, as the Mom of my friend Nat, who is I consider a brother. I look back fondly at all of the times I was in the Michaud household, and how she treated me like her own son. I felt extremely safe and loved in her home. Second, as one of her students, there are so many ways that she helped mold my life. I do not remember one grade she gave me, but have incorporated the eloquent critiques she provided on several essays from her challenging classes throughout my life. Through her incredible gift as a writer / teacher, she not only honed my skills in writing, but gave me a confidence in my abilities that were lacking at such a formative age. Much of what I have accomplished in my career has a direct correlation to her guidance. Thank you Mrs. Michaud.

I am very saddened by the loss of Mrs. Michaud she was a wonderful teacher and great mentor. My condolences to her family & friends.

What a loss. I had the privilege of being in one of Mrs. Michael's early teaching classes and after all these years, I remember her vividly. Her passion, her high expectations, her smile, her ability to motivate us to excel in our own way, her fairness never waivered. No other teacher sparked me to excel as she did. I am thankful I had her as a teacher and as a role model. Thank you Mrs. Michaud...you will be missed but not forgotten.

I apologize that this is so late - I posted on Facebook when I heard the news, but neglected to add something here for the benefit of the family. I feel very fortunate that the last time I saw Ruth Michaud was just a few months ago at the Mount Vernon farmer's market. She gave me a hug and was very gracious as always. She was a fabulous teacher that I will never forget. Always classy and kind, yet firm and convicted. What an excellent example she set.

As many others, I’m saddened to hear of Ruth’s passing. I feel extremely fortunate to have had Ruth as a teacher — she was indeed one of the very best! My condolences to Nate and the rest of the family.

My sincere sympathy to her family. I will always remember her class with fond memories. She always called my friends and I in her class, the "peanut gallery." I actually remember ALOT of things she taught me, lol. She was by far one of my FAVORITE teachers! RIP Mrs. Michaud.... Lori Schoff

Mrs. Michaud represented all that was good in teaching. She was honest and intelligent. She was fair. She had high expectations. She was grounded, but idealistic. I had the privilege of learning from her when I was a young student teacher. I am thankful that my journey into education began with Mrs. Michaud...excellence personified. My thoughts are with her family at this time. P.S. The Emily Dickinson lines were beautiful. I end with a line..."Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul" Thank you, Ruth Michaud, for inspiring all you touched and giving us all reason to carry hope in our souls.

I wanted to offer prayers and thoughts to Nat and Norman during this extremely difficult time. I know Ruth and will always know Ruth as Mrs. Michaud my 9th grade english teacher. Mrs. Michaud was a teacher who inspired her students to become better writers and readers in the subject of which she taught. I remember trying to earn that praising smile that she is famous for. You definitely knew that you were going in the right direction with what ever the assignment was when you got that smile! I also remember her as a loving mother to her son Nat and checking on him and I when we would be listening to Bill Cosby albums in the old house or the Sugar Hill Gang at the new house. Remember that Nat :) So how ever you spell her last name (Me-Show as she would write on the blackboard to her new students) Ruth's influence and person will be greatly missed. She is a person who made a difference in the lives of her students and all around her. I know that you are in a better place and looking down to check the progress of all of your work in this life :)

An amazing teacher, a humble woman. I cannot even begin to express how much she taught me. I carry with me today the passion she had for literature and the written word. And can honestly say I read "Moby Dick" because of her. Heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Michaud's family.