Ruth Miller Willcox, 72, passed away suddenly, yet peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. Ruth was born in and spent the first part of her life in Flint, MI. She was a graduate from the University of Michigan. She moved to Cincinnati where she met Jim, the man who loved and cherished her for the next 45 years. Jim and Ruth had three daughters; Katie, Emily and Johanna. Jim was Ruth’s greatest love and her daughters, her greatest joy. Together, they moved from state to state with Jim’s job. Ruth settled her family in 6 different homes in the years that followed; making each one a home by her own hand. Her artful eye, talent with a paint brush, and excellent taste would later benefit her daughter’s home as well.
Ruth was a wife and mother first, but her individual talents were many. She generously shared her time and her gifts with abundance; keeping new babies warm with her crocheted blankets, decorating homes and Christmas trees with her sewing, painting, quilting and award winning photography.
Many lucky stray animals found their way to Ruth’s door. All of them blessed with her unconditional love. The animals of the desert that she watched and adored from her vistas in Tucson were a source of unending delight. Ruth had a special place in her heart for any four footed or winged creature.
Ruth spent her last hours surrounded with love by her daughters and her husband; just as she would have wanted. She is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Katie and son-in-law Sean with their children Lucy, Abigail and Alex; daughter Emily and son-in-law Patrick with their children Donovan, Johanna and Ella Kate; and daughter Johanna and son-in-law Gary with their children Wyatt and Rex. It would be her wish to mention also her much loved dogs: Ebby and Spike.
We celebrate her life and will miss her every day. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs, 3901 East 119th Street, Kansas City, MO 64137. A private service for the family will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrangements, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO.
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