Ruth Penney
Ruth Penney

Obituary of Ruth Elizabeth Penney

To watch her video tribute, click on the link below: http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=5964 Ruth was born on April 13, 1923 to Desire and Christina Purard at the family ranch on the Yakima Indian Reservation just outside of Toppenish, Washington. Ruth was raised there along with her older brother, Desire Purard Jr. and younger sister Dorthea Purard (King). Ruth Graduated from Toppenish High School in 1941. Shortly after graduating she left Toppenish for Seattle. Once in Seattle she went to work for the Boeing Company. Boeing is were she met her first husband, Guy Gordon Straley and they wed in Olympia in January of 1942. Ruth and Guy had one child together Gordon Lee Straley. Ruth and Guy Divorced in 1948 and Ruth and her son Gordon returned to eastern Washington where they settled in Kennewick. In Kennewick is where Ruth met her second husband Louis Penney and they married in September of 1961. Louis had two children from a previous marriage, Julius and Susan Penney. Later they moved to Beaverton, OR. and soon after to Vancouver WA. Together they enjoyed many hobbies which included, traveling, rock hounding, jewelry making, and many more. They often showcased there wares at gem and lapidary shows around the area. After the death of her son Gordon's wife, Ruth took special pride in caring for her grandchildren Richard and Lisa Straley. Ruth was a constant reminder about how important family is. She took care of her parents until there deaths in 1972 (father) , 1975 (mother), and later after a long battle with cancer, her own husband in February 1995. Ruth moved to Pasco, WA in 1995 where her family all helped to take care of her. Which included her sister Dot, her Step-son Julius and his wife Sandy, and Ruth's grandchildren, Richard, Lisa, Brandon, Kathy, and Robert. In spring of 2006 Ruth came home to Fircrest, Washington to live out the rest of her life with her grandson Richard Straley and his family. Ruth went peacefully in the arms of her family on the morning of November 18, 2006. Ruth is survived by her sister Dorthea King, her step-son Julius Penney and his wife Sandy, grandchildren Richard, Lisa, Brandon, Kathy, and Robert, and great grandchildren Heather and Joshua, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Pierce County Hospice. Memorial Service to be held 4:00 PM Friday December 1, 2006 at Lakeview Congregational Chapel, 4606 108th St. SW, Lakewood, WA. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008
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