Ruth Esther Pennock

Ruth Esther Hoyle was born on August 31, 1918, the second daughter of Ralph and Lena Mae (Taylor) Hoyle, in Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduation from Classical High School, she attended a one-year business course at the Fairchild Office School in Worcester. In November, 1938, she was employed by the Howard Bros. Mfg. Company at 44 Vine Street where she worked until April of 1943 when she joined the SPARS, the Women's Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon completion of three years of service, both as an enlisted Yeoman, and as a commissioned officer, she decided to remain in Seattle and in September of 1947 became a 29-year-old freshman at the University of Washington, where she joined a group called SORORIA, (a term meaning sisterly), and organization for women students over the age of 25. She also joined a group called Management Club, whose members were mostly all attending the U. on the G-I Bill. Ray Pennock was the president, and asked Ruth to be the secretary. Following graduation and marriage to Ray in 1951 she continued to support Sororia ideals in the Alumnae group which finally disbanded in 1985 when it became obvious that women students over the age of 25 were no longer unusual on college campuses. Ray and Ruth became the parents of two sons and in 1957 joined the Crown Hill United Methodist Church.

Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Raymond, her sons Phil (Diane Abbey), James (Beth), grand-daughter Laurel Pederson (Chris), great-granddaughters Clementine & Scarlett, and her sister, Marjorie Brooks of North Grafton, Mass, as well as several nieces and nephews.