Ruth R. McDowell, 73, of East Hartford, died Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at Riverside Heath Care Center, East Hartford. She retired from Cigna Insurance Company after many years of service. She is survived by her sons Raymond B. Ather, Jr. of Manchester and Steven Ather of Vermont; her stepchildren Kim Post, and Kay and David McDowell; her grandchildren Abigail and Charles Ather, and Timothy and Joseph Murphy; and her brothers Roger Groman of Kentucky and Richard Groman of Vermont. She is also survived by her cousins Shirley Bryant and Florence Nagy; and her nephews Bill, Bob and Craig Groman. She was predeceased by her brother John Groman and her good friend Joan Kerr. Funeral service will be held on Saturday (September 13th) at 10:30 am at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester followed by burial in Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 9-10:30 am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association 1 Union Street Suite 301 Robbinsville, NJ 08691. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.