Ruth F. LaFrance She was born in Lowell on Sept. 21, 1924, daughter of the late James and Ruth Torpey. She attended local schools. In 1985, she moved to Maine with her husband. Mrs. LaFrance enjoyed spending time at Long Sands Beach in York, Maine. Besides her husband, survivors include two sons, Brian of Salem, N.H. and Rodney of Poland Spring; two brothers, James Torpey of Oregon and Thomas Torpey of Lowell; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was also the mother of Cheryl Bourque LaFrance, who died in 1997, and the sister of Marion LaFrance, who died in 1943. Published in the Lowell Sun on 11/14/2004. Guest Book . Flowers