Lydia Kallaspoolik Ruel

  ASHBURNHAM - Lydia Kallaspoolik Ruel, 74, of Ashburnham, died peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at her home after an illness.     Lydia was born in Tallinn, Estonia, on July 4, 1936, the daughter of the late Elmar and the late Rosine (Vasli) Kallaspoolik. She moved to the United States with her mother and siblings at age 15 and was educated in New Britain, CT, moving to Ashburnham many years ago. Mrs. Ruel worked as school secretary and library assistant at Oakmont Regional High School for twenty years. She owned and operated Lydia's Pressed Flower Designs in Ashburnham for twenty-five years and was a member of the International Pressed Flower Society. Lydia received many awards for her pressed flower creations and was included in many pressed flowers publications. Lydia's artwork is enjoyed by many, spreading across five continents. Lydia enjoyed gardening, travel and needlework.     She leaves her daughter, Linda Ruel Flynn of Athol; two grandchildren, Keegan Ruel Flynn of VT, Kendra Mariya Flynn of Boston; and many cousins, nieces and nephews from the US and Estonia.     She was predeceased by her husband, Robert J. Ruel, in 1991; also by her sister, Evi Kratt, and by her brother, Cal Trask.     There are no calling hours. Funeral services will be private.     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to American Cancer Society's New England Division Office, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505.   $(document).ready(function(){ });