Kay Vinson Ruhland

Kay Vinson Ruhland was born Virginia Kay Vinson in Portland on September 1, 1934 to a small-town doctor, John Ellsworth Vinson and homemaker, Virginia Pifer Vinson; and died in Oakland, CA on March 31, 2025.

Raised in Seaside, she graduated from Seaside High in 1952 as its 50-student class Valedictorian. In 1954 she was chosen as Miss Seaside.

Kay attended Stanford University, then a two-day train trip from Seaside to Palo Alto. She majored in geography, and married fellow Stanford student Fred Warren Ruhland the week after she graduated in December 1956.

Kay and Fred settled in the Bay Area and raised a family of four. Kay was a busy, devoted mother, and as all of her children married and had families, she was delighted to be the matriarch of a clan that is now blessed to include eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Kay also treasured her ongoing connections to her nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws.

Kay was a stay-at-home mom until her separation from Fred in 1978. She then began a rewarding 15-year career as a teacher with Heald Business College.

Retiring in 1994, Kay began her extensive travels around the globe, particularly enjoying repeated explorations of Europe and Asia. In recent years, she particularly enjoyed the riverboat cruises on the great rivers of Europe.

Always a good daughter of Oregon, Kay maintained a season pass at the Oregon Shakespeare festival in Ashland for years. She treasured her regular visits to her mother and aunt in Portland and Hood River before their passing, and in recent years, Kay kept up with friends in Seaside and Bend, and her cousins and extended family in the Portland area.

Kay maintained a home in the Oakland hills for 44 years, living independently on her own until she passed away at home after a short illness. She died in her own bed, peacefully, and surrounded by family.

Donations in Kay’s memory may be made to the Oakland Symphony’s MUSE Program at www.oaklandsymphony.org or by mail to Oakland Symphony MUSE Program, 1440 Broadway, Suite 405, Oakland, CA 94612.

There will be a memorial gathering at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA, on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 11:00am -- 1:00pm. All are welcome.

Kay will be interred in the family vault at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland in a private ceremony.