Ruth E. (Silva) Dennen

Ruth E. (Silva) Dennen, age 97, of Taunton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, in Taunton, where she had spent all of her life.

During the second world war, she left school to work building rescue beacons for combat pilots. Later she became a dedicated wife and mother. She also ran a small farm, raising goats for decades and chickens and vegetables until the end of her life. At age 45, while working, taking care of children and managing a small farm, she went back to school and became a nurse. She had a passion for nature, especially bluebirds, who nest on her property, and to restoring the grandeur of the American Chestnut Trees. She enjoyed bicycling, hiking and cross country skiing well into her 80’s. 

She was the widow of Leo R. Dennen and is survived by her two sons, Mark and Jeff Dennen, and her daughter, Gail Jaworski, along with 6 grandchildren and an extensive extended family.

A private burial is scheduled.

A Buddhist/Christian Ceremony of Transition/Celebration of Life will take place at the Providence Zen Center, 99 Pound Road in Cumberland, RI. A reception at the Zen Center will follow where we will share vegetarian foods and Korean Tea. All relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

For time and date of the Transition/Celebration please reach out to the family at: zenmartialartist@gmail.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth E. (Silva) Dennen, please visit our floral store.