Ruth was born in Independence, Kansas, August 9, 1929 to Ruth Frances (Whitehead) and Earle Ward Hille. She was the fifth child having four older brothers whom she adored. She lived in Independence until she moved to Lawrence, Kansas where she attended the University of Kansas. She moved to Topeka her junior year where she attended Washburn University. She graduated from Washburn in 1952 receiving her BA Degree in Business Education.
Ruth began her 30+ years of teaching in Colorado Springs at CSHS. Ruth and Donald Guy Gascoigne were married on December 23, 1952 in Topeka, Kansas. Ruth finished out her year at CSHS, and then she and Don made their first home is Pensacola, Florida where he was in flight training. Upon completion, Don became a fighter pilot in the US Marine Corp. Their first duty station was Cherry Point, North Carolina. Other duty stations over their 64 ½ years of marriage include: Corpus Christi, Texas; Quantico, Virginia; Brunswick, Georgia; Orange, California; Alexandria, Virginia and Shawnee Mission, Kansas.
While moving with Don, Ruth enjoyed her teaching in North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Kansas. She was dedicated to her teaching and to her many students along the way.
When Don retired, they moved to Overland Park, Kansas where they have lived since 1976. Ruth taught at AVILA College, Shawnee Mission North High School and retired from Shawnee Mission Northwest in 1994.
Ruth and Don have four children: Kenneth William Gascoigne and wife, Linda A. of Pensacola, FL; Amy Ruth Cox and husband, Robert R. of Overland Park, KS; Donald Ward Gascoigne and wife, Linda T. of San Clemente, CA; and Kathleen Ann "Kate" Gascoigne and husband, Mark D. Ludwig of Boston, MA; 11 grandchildren, Kenneth Malach, Ansley Gund, Matthew Gascoigne, Jessie Gerado, Cody Gascoigne, Carly Gascoigne, Katey Gascoigne, Ali Gascoigne, C.J. Gascoigne, Sarah and Asher Ludwig and 4 great grandchildren, Hazel and Juliette Gascoigne, Elouise and Everette Gund.
Ruth was an avid quilter making ‘comfort’ quits for her children and grandchildren; baby quilts, t-shirts quilts for grandchildren and fun quilts for the guild and for friends. She was a member of the Kansas City Quilt Guild of Great Kansas City. Ruth was a member of the Colonial Presbyterian Church, Chapter HE, PEO, Kappa Alpha Theta Alumni and Celler Sew-ers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Ruth’s name to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23453 or online at www.operationsmile.org/donate Her visitation will be 6-8pm, Friday, February 17th at McGilley & Hoge Memorial Chapel. Her funeral service will be 10am, Saturday, February 18th at McGilley & Hoge Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66204. Ruth will be laid to rest in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida.
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