Ruth McEwen

Ruth McEwen passed away at her home in Lakewood, Colorado, on February 7, 2015 at the age of 102. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore R. McEwen whom she married in 1941, her sister, Glada May Henrikson, and her brother, Henry K. Shaffer.

She was born December 29, 1912 in Keighly, Kansas. Ruth graduated from Loveland High School in 1930, received a Bachelor of Music from Colorado Women's College Conservatory in 1932, a Bachelor of Arts from Colorado State College of Education in 1935, and a Master of English from the University of Southern California.

Ruth taught English and Music at Arvada High School, in Arvada, Colorado from 1937-1942. She also taught at the Daniels School from 1942-1945.

Ruth's love of teaching and music inspired her life. She founded the Jefferson Youth Symphony, and was an advisor for several organizations, including the College of Music at the University of Colorado, Metropolitan Opera Auditions in Littleton, Colorado, and the Young Artist Competition sponsored by the Denver Symphony. Ruth was the president of the Denver Symphony Guild, Lakewood's Women's club, and the Rocky Ridge foundation in Estes Park, Colorado. She was a trustee for the Golden Symphony, the Denver Symphony, and the Young Musicians of Colorado Foundation. Not only was Ruth a musician and a teacher, she was also an accomplished graphic artist, having studied under Angelo Di Benedetto, one of America's foremost artists of th the 20th century.

Ruth was deeply involved in her community including membership in the Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity, member of the Board of Governors for the Jeffco Family YMCA, member of the Music Committee for the Colorado Council of the Arts and Humanities. She held six offices for the Colorado State Music Teachers Association and was the National Chairman of the Music Teachers National Association of High School Auditions.

Ruth is survived by 12 nieces and nephews, 15 grand nieces and nephews, and 6 great grand nieces and nephews all of whom she considered her children. Her extended family included over 1,000 students from her years of teaching.

Contributions may be made to:

College of Music, University of Colorado, Boulder Campus Box 301, Boulder, CO 80303;

Ted McEwen Memorial, Colorado State University - Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo, CO 81001-4901.

Interment: Holyoke Memorial Park, County Road 41, Holyoke, CO 80734 February 28, 2015; 11 am. Memorial Service: Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 March 21, 2015; 12 pm in the Funeral Chapel.