Obituary of Ruth Esther Cascone

Ruth died peacefully in her home on December 26th, 2008. The first of five children of Herbert and Stella Buehrens, Ruth was born on July 6th, 1936 in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Ruth spent her first years in Dorchester and Rice Lake, Wisconsin before moving to Winfield, Kansas where she attended St. John’s Lutheran Academy to study pre-nursing. From Winfield, she went on to St. Louis, Missouri to obtain her R.N. degree at St. Vincent de Paul School of Nursing. She distinguished herself there by achieving the highest grades that had ever been recorded in the state of Missouri. She began her nursing career in Houston, Texas at the V.A. hospital, but as the weather there was unsuitable she soon sought work in a friendlier climate. She soon found herself in San Francisco, where she worked as a nurse for many years at Franklin General Hospital. In 1964 Ruth married John Cascone, a chemical engineer. They made their home in San Rafael, California where they lived until after the birth of their son, John Anthony, in 1969. After the family relocated to Eugene, Oregon, Ruth chose to pursue new academic interests and enrolled in the University of Oregon. There, she majored in both English Literature and Community Service & Public Affairs, and graduated with honors. She also found time to do considerable volunteer work while living in Eugene. During this period she also expanded her “homemaking” skills to include buying a house with a friend for the express purpose of renovating it themselves and reselling. Her interest in real estate continued, and after the family moved to Tacoma, Washington, Ruth became a realtor. She always took great care in this work to ensure that her clients not only found a home, but that they found the right home. After retirement, she began to indulge in her love of travel. She enjoyed tours of China, Iran, India, Spain, and Southeast Asia in her later years, and she saw her journeys as a way to further understand and appreciate the world she lived in and become a true world citizen. Other adventures included a kayaking whale-watching trip to Mexico, river rafting down the Grand Canyon with several family members and taking a train to Chicago for a museum tour. Ruth was known for her generosity and her love of laughter. An avid nature lover, her interests also included hiking, literature, art, museums, film, theater, politics, and volunteering in her community. Her love of intellectual stimulation and good conversation led her to join discussion groups for film and literature, as well as joining museums at every opportunity. While Ruth had many friends, her emphasis was always on the quality of relationship. Ruth is survived by John, John Anthony, four loving siblings, and dear friends around the world. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the charity of your choice. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at the Tacoma Nature Center at 1919 S. Tyler St. in Tacoma on January 22nd at 1:30pm.