Ruth Elaine Hurley

The second of four children, Ruth was born on March 12, 1948 in Gouverneur, NY to Arnold Thompson and Bernice Bishop Thompson.

Ruth graduated with a degree in history from State University of New York at Potsdam. After college, she was employed as a social worker for the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services, working with families and children in crisis.

Ruth and Phil met on a blind date when mutual friends invited each of them to come see a new litter of puppies. After writing back and forth for a year while Phil was stationed in Thailand, they were married on July 28, 1973 and spent their first married year in Okinawa, Japan, with their daughter, Aimee. After returning to the states, they settled in Austin, TX where their second daughter, Erin, was born. In 1985, the family moved to Georgetown, TX where she and Phil lived until 2007 when they bought their retirement home in Jarrell.

After moving to Texas, Ruth was employed by the Internal Revenue Service as a Tax Examiner, then a Lead Contact Representative, then the Taxpayer Advocates Office, which was the position she held when she retired in 2008 after 30 years of civil service.

Before retirement, Ruth and Phil enjoyed traveling the United States, at first with their older grandson, Robert, and later with their younger grandson, Austin. After retirement, they expanded their travels with cruises and trips to Europe. Of all their travels, Maine was a favorite destination and Ruth especially enjoyed Acadia National Park.

Ruth greatly enjoyed quilting and sewing for family and friends. Several lovely lap quilts, quilted bags, and catch-alls grace the homes of her loved ones, along with outfits for her granddaughter and doll clothes for her great-granddaughter. Ruth also made small quilts for donation to the Linus project.

Preceded in death by her parents and her son-in-law James Suarez, Ruth is survived by her husband of 51 years, Phillip Hurley, daughter Aimee Delephimne, daughter Erin Hurley Rosser (Joseph), grandson Robert Delephimne (Holly), grandson Austin Hurley, granddaughter Kaylee Rosser, and great-granddaughter Lily Delephimne. Ruth is also survived by her brother Roger Thompson, brother Ralph Thompson (Cathy), sister Rebecca "Becky" Malys (Ed), sister-in-law Sheila Ingram, a host of nieces and nephews, and special family friend Amanda "Mandy " Read and daughter Lillian "Lily".

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ruth's honor to Pancreatic Cancer Research or the charity of your choice.

A celebration of life for Ruth will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628.