Ruth Eloise Hubbard

August 4, 1919 – August 13, 2017

“The secret to life is enjoying the passing of time” – the chalkboard in Ruth’s kitchen

Ruth Hubbard died a week after her 98th birthday. While Ruth called Colorado Springs home the last 25 years, she was born in Springfield, Missouri, raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma and lived all over the U.S., Canada and the Virgin Islands.

Ruth grew up an only child during the great depression, daughter of Jim and Noreen Van Hook, and became an expert at making things last, looking on the bright side, working hard and caring for others.

Some of her career highlights were covered in the Gazette in 2007: ‘Old Mother Hubbard’. For over 30 years she sold furniture for J.C. Penney, where she won dozens of awards and the adoration of her friends, peers, managers and customers. In 2004, one customer even named their prize cow after her.

She married John Kribbs shortly after graduating high school, and they had three daughters. Years later, she remarried to John Hubbard. In 1968, when one of her daughters died, Ruth became legal guardian of two of her grandsons.

Ruth, John and the boys moved with John’s job, adventuring in Alaska, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Newfoundland, Oregon, Florida and Louisiana. Over the years, Ruth survived earthquakes, forest fires, floods, a kidnapping. Even at 98 years old, she was so strong, her passing was unexpected.

Ruth is survived by a huge loving family that loved her and misses her dearly: daughters Kathy Kribbs Thurman; Karen Kribbs Parrella (husband Michael); eight grandsons, Sam Thurman (wife Lisa); Chris Thurman (wife Jean); Ben Thurman (wife Ilona); Winston Brett Goodwin (wife Susie); Anthony Scott Goodwin (wife Lynn); Michael Parrella, Jr. (wife Jennifer); Jonathan Parrella (wife Jennifer); Danny Parrella; two dozen great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren she adored.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ruth Ann Kribbs Goodwin, and her husband, John W. Hubbard.

Ruth’s funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 28, 2017 at Church of St. Michael the Archangel, 7400 Tudor Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. A reception will follow at the church. She’ll be buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma, next to her husband and daughter.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Silver Key Senior Services, 1625 S. Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80916.