Ivey Adell Lambert

Feb. 15, 1916 - Nov. 15, 2012

Ivey Adell Lambert was a Sacramento native, born to Richard Henry Ruiter and Mabel Salome Ruiter in 1916. She called the Curtis Park neighborhood home for her whole 96-year life. Ivey loved the unique historical Sacramento family home built by her father in 1911. A graduate of Sacramento High School and Sacramento Junior College, Ivey went on to graduate with a degree in art and a minor in speech therapy from Mills College in 1938, and earned a Master's degree in art in 1946.

During her 38 years of teaching, Ivey taught English, speech, and virtually every discipline of art to an estimated 8,000 students. Ivey pursued her passion for teaching at Nevada City High School, Sacramento High School, Redwood City High School and Sacramento City College until the early 1970's when she joined the founding faculty of Consumnes River College - where she was selected as the Director of Art Education.

An even higher priority in her life was her dedication to her family. Ivey married William A. 'Bill' Lambert in 1947, who later became a lawyer in Sacramento. They shared 31 wonderful years together until his untimely passing in 1978. Friends who knew Ivey would often hear her saying how wonderful and blessed her life was, and how her family relationships and friendships far exceeded her best expectations. Ivey was especially proud of her children, Mr. William 'Bill' Lambert (Beci) of Richland, WA; Mrs. Louise Fredericks (Steve) of Oroville, CA; State Senator Kent Lambert, Colonel, USAF (Ret) (Gretchen) of Colorado Springs, CO., as well as her 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren. Very close neighborhood friends adopted her as their 'Grandma Ivey,' or 'Mima,' including the Gerry and DeeAnn Siebum family, the Renard and Lillian Shek-Shepard family and the John and Michaela (Allen) Crandley family. In her last year, Mela Makaba became Ivey's essential and loving full-time caregiver.

As an active church and community leader, Ivey was inexhaustible member: as a Presbyterian Elder, Past President of Presbyterian Women; 65-year member of the California Republican Women; the Republican State Central Committee; member of the PEO Sisterhood; President of the Sacramento City College Emeriti Affiliates; Sacramento City College Alumni Association; Sacramento Chapter of the Stanford Alumni Association; Past President of Friends of the Library at Consumnes River College; and Past Queen and Past Guardian of Job's Daughters Bethel #74.

A celebration of thanksgiving for Ivey Adell Lambert will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 625 Florin Road, Sacramento, CA 95831, on Wednesday, November 21st, at 2:00 PM. Flowers may be sent directly to Faith Church; however, the family suggests monetary contributions in lieu of flowers to Faith Presbyterian Church; or POE Local Chapter I.P., c/o Elaine Fowler, 15031 Guadalupe Dr., CA 95683; or to The Gideons International, at www.gideons.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Harry A. Nauman & Son Funeral Home.