Ruth Ann Harvey

Ruth Ann was born January 20, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri and had cerebral palsy from complications at her birth due to the RH factor in blood, something that science was 6 months shy of understanding how to prevent. She was wheelchair bound her entire life and required full-time care. The condition greatly affected her movement and speech but not her mind which was always active and engaged and she became an expert on many topics. She loved to read, watch classic movies and shows like This Old House and Jeopardy, playing along as she watched. She was also a huge fan of the KC Chiefs and Royals.

She began her life in Kansas City under the loving care and dedication of her parents Fletcher and Ellen Harvey who attended to her every need. She was the baby of the family and had an older sister and brother, Mary Ellen and Ronnie. Ruth Ann attended the Delano School where she received her high school diploma in 1962. Her family was very involved in sports. Her father played basketball for Oklahoma State and went on to become a basketball referee and a baseball umpire, later becoming a back-up umpire for the KC Royals. Ruth Ann attended nearly all of his games.

When her parents retired in 1975 they moved to Sun City West, Arizona where they all enjoyed a rich and active life with lots of road trips and with Ruth Ann attending summer camp every summer, the highlight of her year. After their passing, Ruth Ann moved into an Aires group home in Glendale and had a new loving family and friends there where she lived for the past 18 years.

During the recent 10 or so years, Ruth Ann’s main interest has been learning to navigate the internet using an iPad which opened a world to her where she spent large amounts of time every day. She loved music and now had access to all of it as well as being able to FaceTime her family to stay in closer touch.

Ruth Ann deeply touched many who knew her. Her perseverance, determination, patience and rising above her physical challenges to make the best of things, was truly awe inspiring.

She is survived by her brother Ronald Harvey of Kansas City; two cousins, Skipper Woodley and Kathy Jennings; and eight nieces and nephews, Rick, Flynn and Scott Harvey, and Phil, Chris, Louie, Sherri and Jeff Buck. She is deeply loved and will be deeply missed by them all.

There will be a graveside service for Ruth Ann at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City, Arizona, Friday, April 25 at 9:30 am