Ruth Hart Meagher

On Thursday, January the 11th, Ruth Meagher, went to join her husband, Jack, in eternal rest. Her life was long and filled with the joy of living and adventures, while never shied from making a home and providing for her family.

Ruth was born in Long Beach, California to Joseph & Emily Kean. As a young girl she found herself, and her two brothers, Walter & John, in the hills of Malibu Canyon helping their father build a weekend getaway out of stone gathered from the nearby area. It was here as a young girl she developed her creative abilities and a love of the outdoors, roaming the hills and playing with the animals.

In 1943, Ruth married Jack Meagher, her one true love and continual partner until his death in 2007. During their life together, Ruth was the mother of three boys, Joseph, Lawrence and Michael. She was instrumental in their education, encouraging a natural desire to succeed while enjoying the common things in the surroundings. She and Jack were always on a quest to the beach or the mountains, eventually acquiring a second home overlooking Lake Isabella in the Wofford Heights area. Ruth was always down at the lake or on the Kern River looking for interesting artifacts or driftwood from which she would turn into "works of art". Her creative and artistic talents were always present, influencing those around her.

From the late sixties to the early nineties, Ruth was an elementary school teacher in the Bakersfield area working as a reading specialist with young children. After her retirement, she and Jack extended their desire for adventure by traveling the world.

Ruth's strong and independent spirit had an immense influence on her family and her granddaughters. She is survived by her three sons and their wives: Joseph & Shelly Meagher, Lawrence "Larry" & Colleen Meagher and Michael & Diane O'Meagher; their sons and daughters: Phillip & Marlene Meagher, Shawn Meagher, Michelle & Shawn Meade, Sarah Meagher and Lauren Marriott. Ruth's great grandchildren are Courtney, Natalie & Bethany Meagher, Abigail Ruth Meagher and Zackary Meade.

Ruth's brothers, Walter & John Kean predeceased her and are survived by their 11 children and their families.

A Celebration of Ruth's Life will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd, on March 3rd at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County are requested.