Ruth R. Smith

Ruth Richter Smith (nee Ruth Minerva Richter), age 86, of San Juan Capistrano, CA passed away peacefully on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo, CA. Ruth was born in Wilmington, DE on January 23, 1928.

Ruth and her family moved from Wilmington, DE to Monrovia, CA in 1961 where she began working at Avery Label; an employer she stayed with until she retired. Ruth’s family relocated to Upland, CA where she lived until April 1990; she and her husband, Patrick, then sold their home and moved to Banning, CA – Sun Lakes Country Club and Golf Course – a 55+ Community. Ruth and Pat lived there for 20 years. Ruth loved to travel, play the penny slots, go shopping, play Bingo and Bunko, conquer crossword puzzles, lunch with her gal pals and visits with her daughters and granddaughters. After Ruth’s husband passed away, in May 2010, she relocated to Laguna Niguel – just a few blocks from two of her daughters. She lived there, with her little kitty Topper, from September 2011 to August 2014; at that time, she down-sized and moved to Brookdale Senior Living in San Juan Capistrano – Topper was happy to join her; Topper is now living in Dana Point with his cousin kitties!

Ruth was predeceased by her mother and father, Bertha Mae and Fredrick E. Richter; her loving husband, Patrick A. Smith; and her son-in-law, John M. Knutson. Ruth is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Shari and Fred Koester and Colleen Smith, all from Dana Point; her daughter, Teri Knutson, from Woodbury, MN; and her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Mike Schneider, from Coopersburg, PA. Ruth also said good-bye to her precious granddaughters, Kellee Flansburg and Kiah Knutson, both from Woodbury, MN; Erin Everett, from Allentown, PA and Lindsay Schneider, from Lansdale, PA. Kellee and her husband Michael gave Grandma two beautiful great-grandchildren, Brooklyn (age 3.5 yrs) and Roman, 5 months; Erin and her husband Jeremy gave Grandma another precious baby girl, Elliot, just 6.5 months ago.

In conclusion, listed below is the visitation and funeral service information:

Viewing - Sunday, January 25 - 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Pacific View Memorial Park & Mortuary

3500 Pacific View Drive

Corona del Mar, CA 92625

949-644-2700

Please visit www.PacificViewCalifornia.com to send flowers or leave your sentiments for our families. If you would rather call in an order for flowers, please call: 877-894-0431 and give location code #51777.

Burial - Monday, January 26 @ 11:31 a.m.

Riverside National Cemetery

22495 Van Buren Blvd.

Riverside, CA 92518

951-653-8417

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Ruth’s name, to:

Irvine Animal Care Center

7443 Oak Canyon

Irvine, CA 92618

949-724-7740

Please visit http://www.cityofirvine.org/cityhall/cs/animalcare/ to make an online donation