Kimberly Lynn (Ruhlman) Mallory

Kimberly Lynn Mallory, age 50, beloved wife of Joshua Mallory, mother of 9 children (aka “Mallory Nation”) and Program Director of Camp Gilead in Carnation, WA, finished her 2+ year battle with cancer on July 10th, 2025 in the good hands of the Evergreen Hospice Care Center in Kirkland, Washington. She spent her final days surrounded by countless family and friends, sipping her new favorite Starbucks beverage, a sweet cream vanilla cold brew, sharing memories with loved ones and playing hymns on the piano. She is now in heaven peacefully resting in the arms of Jesus, finally free of pain and singing with her Savior for eternity.

Kimberly was born on December 2nd, 1974, in Bellingham, WA, to Pastor Thomas and Rebecca Ruhlman. She attended The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, CA from 1992-1996 and served at Placerita Baptist Church by playing piano and directing her first Patch the Pirate musical. She spent her college summers as a counselor at Camp Gilead. After college, she taught for 2 years at Bethel Christian School in CA before being led back to Camp Gilead to join the full time staff as Program Director in 1998. She has faithfully served at camp for 30 years, even amidst her journey with cancer. She supported others in camp ministry through speaking and leading workshops in her role as board member and then President of the Northwest Section of the Christian Camp and Conference Association from 2022-2025. She faithfully served in many roles at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Snohomish, WA, coordinating logistics for the music department, church communication, Senior Night, and Awana. She helped lead the Lighthouse Homeschool Group and directed the annual Patch the Pirate musical. She was a master of systems, organization, and delegation as she orchestrated the planning and production of both small and large events, making everyone involved feel seen and valued.

Kimberly’s life was marked by her love for Jesus, her commitment to her family, her passion for people, and her love for the ministry of Camp Gilead. She and Josh enjoyed 25 years of marriage and loved doing life together. They fully embraced the ups and downs of parenting 9 children and loved attending their sports games and performances, celebrating goals with frappes, and honoring holidays, birthdays, and graduations. They enjoyed celebrating their anniversary at the elegant Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie. Their favorite family traditions included tent camping with the kids near their favorite water park in eastern Washington, attending camping conferences, and gardening season. Kimberly had the pleasure of welcoming her first two grandchildren this past year and watching two of her sons become dads.

Kimberly found immense joy in curating experiences for others to enjoy. Summer camps, retreats, the River Run 5k, GileAdvent, and countless Hymn Sings were some of the many events she planned at Camp Gilead. Her faithful leadership to program staff, counselors, and campers impacted thousands of lives throughout her ministry. Her patience and grace balanced with her resilience, her calm, her integrity, and her steadfastness made her an incredible leader in all aspects of her life. She was fueled by people and was a joy to be around. She loved getting pedicures and was always up for getting together for coffee, especially if it was with her sisters. She was an inspiring speaker to all ages, one who can get any audience excited for the most mundane or wild activities, from cabin clean up to early morning polar bear swims. She loved leading worship and hosting mail call, two of her favorite activities at camp. Her life, even amidst pain, was filled with abundance, love, and a peace that could only come from the hope she found in Christ. She accomplished more with cancer than many do in a lifetime. She will be incredibly missed by all, but her impact will last for generations.

She is survived by her husband, Joshua Mallory, her parents, Pastor Thomas and Rebecca Ruhlman, her 7 siblings and spouses, Mark and Laurieanne Ruhlman, Scott and Mary Ruhlman, Michelle and Aaron Keller, Brian Ruhlman, Karen and Reuben Bassett, Kevin and Katie Ruhlman, and Melissa and Noah Bragg, as well as her 9 children and spouses, Josiah (23) and Savannah Mallory, Luke (22) and Kylie Mallory, Noah (20) and Anna Mallory, Reuben (18), Chloe (16), Judah (16), Laura (14), Solomon (12), and Kenan (6), and 2 grandchildren, Moriah Mallory (1) and Clayton Mallory (8 months).

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on August 30, 2025 at Canyon Hills Community Church in Bothell, WA. All are welcome.

In honor of Kimberly, gifts may be made to Camp Gilead for a special memorial project, “Kimberly’s Playground,” a dream she has had for many years to update the playground to make it more accessible and enjoyable for campers of all ages. Gifts can be sent to Camp Gilead, ℅ Kimberly’s Playground, 30919 NE Carnation Farm Road, Carnation, WA, 98014 or online at https://campscui.active.com/orgs/CampGilead0?&e4q=3e249450-6c1a-4143-ace6-c06a83776d5f&e4p=0fb9d1b9-9d92-4a41-8939-e79fca96a74f&e4ts=1752533726&e4c=active&e4e=snlvcmpscui00001load&e4rt=Safetynet&e4h=2a9c7b98cb4d30f28a661fcb66314bcc (click the “Support” tab found at campgilead.org).