Ruth Reynolds

Born March 11, 1917 in Port Washington, Long Island N.Y., Ruth was the youngest of five children born to Eve and Thomas Olsen. Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, Herbert N. Fell; son, Herbert Jr.; and second husband, John August Strong Jr.

Ruth was a pioneer and paved the way for Thousand Oaks to become what it is today. She built the first automotive center and Taco Bell on the front part of three acres on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, she designed and built the house where she raised her three children and housed the Big John Strong Circus on the rear part of the land which is located next door to the Civic Arts Center.

Ruth loved life and children. She raised her children with morals and principals and often told them "Give me results, not excuses."

An avid reader, she loved poetry and art. She was a member of the Republican Women's Club and a volunteer at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Ruth was always a high energy person who loved being active outdoors; she walked or rode her bike almost daily. In the last years of her life she slowed down a bit when she fell and broke her hip at the age of 82.

She suffered a devastating stroke at the age of 84 requiring 24 hour care and was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 91.

She was courageous, strong and sweet through her long battle. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Special thanks to her caregiver Karen Young whose superb efforts and dedication significantly aided towards Ruth's comfort and overall well being.

Ruth leaves behind her husband of 17 years, Robert Reynolds of Fillmore; her daughters, Sandra Strong of Thousand Oaks, Linda Strong from Ojai; and son, John Augustus Jones Strong and wife Candy Strong from LaFaria, Texas.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8 at Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles. The family requests that Memorial Contributions in memory of Ruth be made to The American Cancer Society .