Ruth Arnold

To be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow

Of smiles

When life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering

Softly down the ways.

Of happy times and laughing times

And bright sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve,

To dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave

When life is done.

Ruth Arnold was born June 10, 1930, in Bakersfield, CA, and died August 2, 2015, in Hanford, CA, where she lived for 60 years. She was 85.

Ruth was the second of 12 children born to Francisco and Ignacia Gonzalez. She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital helping deliver babies before moving to San Fernando, where she lived and worked with some of her brothers and sisters. She married and had two children before eventually returning to Hanford. She worked 15 years as a housekeeper and interpreter at Hanford Community Hospital, retiring in 1995.

After retirement she spent much of her time caring for her grandchildren. She loved spending time with them, playing and laughing.

Her hobbies were gardening and sewing, and she enjoyed puzzles and word search. Chinese food and Superior Dairy hot fudge sundaes were her favorites.

She is survived by her son, Toby Arnold, and his wife, Tammy, and her daughter, Robin Fink, and her husband, Mark. She had three grandchildren, Sahara Fink, Caleb Fink and Alyssa Arnold. She leaves behind five brothers and four sisters. She was married to David W. Arnold, who died in 1981. She is predeceased by two sisters.

There will be a Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 10355 Hanford Armona Road, Hanford, at noon Saturday, September 19, with reception following.