(Catherine) Ruth was educated at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton and in 1975 completed her degree in Canadian Studies at Glendon College, York University, Toronto.

She was born 26 May, 1924, in Joggins, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia to parents G. Edison and Catherine M. (Cameron) Cumming, both of Fredericton, N.B. She attended the University of New Brunswick and received a degree in Canadian Studies from York University in 1975. She married Stanley T. Spicer and had two children named Linda and John.

She eventually moved to St Andrews Charlotte County, New Brunswick. She developed a wealth of close friendships and a network of colleagues throughout Canada, through her many personal interests, volunteer commitments, and her work. As an author, curator, historian and speaker, her deep appreciation and love of history was acknowledged when she was a recipient of the Award of Merit from the Association of Museums NB. She became a particular authority on Charlotte, York and Sunbury Counties and Pictou County in NS, and generously shared her research and knowledge with all who shared this interest. Additionally, the largest resource of pre-1950 Canadian cookbooks in NB is the Ruth Spicer Cookbook Collection at Kings Landing Historical Settlement.

A broad range of personal interests and volunteer commitments were reflected in her participation in numerous groups – from church and youth groups, to the arts, to a gourmet cooking club to ensuring the building of a public swimming pool in Queen’s Square in Fredericton, and many, many more. She contributed much to the communities in which she lived and worked. She died March 13, 2015