Clararuth Cresswell Phinny

Clararuth “Ruth” Cresswell Phinny passed away on May 12, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, devotion, and cherished memories. She was born on May 7, 1932, in Tampa Florida and throughout her life, she touched the hearts of all who knew her.

Ruth became a licensed cosmetologist after high school and practiced her trade until she met and married Ernest Henry who was stationed at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa. They married on March 24, 1956. The Air Force moved them from Florida to New York, California, and Nebraska. They finally settled in Colorado in 1962 and raised their four children.

Ruth’s greatest joy in life was her family. She enjoyed cooking meals and preparing the family favorites. For many decades, she would bake five or six pies at Thanksgiving to make sure everyone had their favorite. She worked hard to make memories when all of the family were gathered around the dinner table. Throughout her life, those were many of her happiest times. She enjoyed decorating her home for the holidays and having the entire family there every Christmas.

Ruth was a faithful Christian and raised her children to know the Lord. She was an active member in the Presbyterian church. She continued her spiritual journey through Bible Study Fellowship. She was a Legacy Graduate of nine years. Ruth was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star for many years. She served as the “Worthy Matron” in her Westminster and Fort Collins Chapters. Her faith was a guiding light, grounding her in kindness, compassion, and grace.

At home, Ruth enjoyed planting and growing her own vegetables and making meals from them for as many years as she could. Later in life she was a member of the African Violet club and grew violets in her basement. All the way up to her death, she would take clippings from plants wherever she went and root and plant them. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She often sewed costumes and dresses for her children for a variety of events.

As her children grew older, Ruth went back to Beauty School in Colorado and again became a licensed cosmetologist. She worked as a hairdresser until she was in her seventies. She did not completely stop working at some part time job until she was 81. She was an example of strength and perseverance to every member of her family.

Ruth was an avid reader. She enjoyed a good novel but also read to learn throughout her entire life. Her library contained a variety of books ranging from classical, political, romance, adventure, historical, to do it yourself.

Ruth loved to travel and she took a number of trips with her children over her lifetime. She especially enjoyed a good road trip throughout her life. Her adventurous spirit took each of her grandchildren on a road trip to another state to do some exploring and have some “Grandma/Meema” time.

She loved cats and dogs and raised many. She was even known to take in a few orphans and raise them. Her dogs enjoyed eating toast with her most mornings while she drank her coffee.

Ruth is preceded in death by her ex-husband Ernest Henry; parents, Malza and Hugh Phinny; siblings, Gordon Phinny, Myrtle Beck, Lorton Phinny, and Joyce Bell; as well as granddaughter, Lisa Faut. She is survived by her children Deborah Dove (Ronald), Michael Henry (Terri), Nancy Seams (Larry), and Susan Bailey (Butch); as well as grandchildren Gail, Michelle, Jill, Benjamin, Brittany, Sean, and Heather; and great grandchildren Noelle, Eric, Aubrey and Khaleb.

Ruth’s legacy of love and never-ending devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the love she shared and the lives she touched.