Ruth Irene Wilson Barrett

Ruth Irene (Wilson) Barrett was born on August 22, 1916 in Wilsonville, Oregon. She was the second child to Edward Wilson, who was born in Sweden and Cassie Coral King, who was born in Big Rapids, Michigan. Ruth had an older sister, Edith, who was an important part of her life until she predeceased her at the age of 87.

When the girls were young timber was a very important part of the Oregon economy and their father was a logger. Growing up they lived in logging camps and when Ruth was in her early teens her father was killed in a logging accident. After her father’s death the little family worked hard to survive during the Great Depression.

At the young age of 16 Ruth graduated from High School and her working life began. During this time she worked for Dr. Hines as a medical assistant and it was then that she met her beloved Lee.

On June 2, 1940 she married Leander “Lee” Rockwell Barrett in Hillsboro, Oregon. Within a year and a half the United States was at war. Lee served in the U.S. Army and during his training they moved to Kansas. By the time the war was over their daughter Carolyn had been born. After Lee was honorably discharged they returned to Hillsboro to live with Ruth’s mother Cassie. In December of 1946 their son Steven came into their life.

In 1949 Ruth and Lee bought a house on SE 32nd avenue in Portland from her sister Edith and her husband Dwight. It was at this home where they raised their family and lived until 1970 when they moved into their new home on 157th. It was at this home she remained the rest of her life.

Ruth worked at Franklin High School as a cook for many years. She then moved on to the Vista St. Claire where she was a receptionist and bookkeeper. All throughout her life Ruth enjoyed camping, gardening and reading.

She enjoyed seeing the countryside and traveling the world with her dearest Lee. They traveled to Hawaii for their grandson’s wedding, took trips to Mexico and Alaska with Dwight and Edith, and even took a 10 month trip around the United States once Lee retired. They always had a wonderful time on their many adventures.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Carolyn and her son Steven (Rosemary); her six grandchildren Amber, Aaron, Tristy, Kelsey (Desmond), Jacob and Cedric; her seven great-grandchildren Bryce, Addison, Ellie, Alistair, Leander, Kaitlynn and Autum.

A memorial service for Ruth will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, December 6, 2015 at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes, 1515 NE 106th Avenue, Portland, OR 97220. She has been laid to rest with her beloved Lee at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.