Ruth Jean Hatfield

Ruth was born with some special needs that could not be resolved well medically at that time in history. However, her parents chose to care for Ruth at home and, along with her sister, nurtured her. Without any formal schooling, Ruth learned to read and write well, kept daily diaries which she later typed on manual typewriters, and had an exceptional memory for dates of events, birthdays of family, friends, neighbors, etc. She also developed cooking and baking skills from working along with her mother. Ruth loved music and listened to records, cassettes, and then CDs.

Ruth had many memories of riding on Seattle streetcars with her mother and sister and later on "trackless trolleys" as she called them. After Bernice married Arnie Durall, Ruth experienced going for car rides and then eventually rides on the freeway, which she especially enjoyed. Going on rides to see outdoor Christmas lights was one of her favorite outings until this past Christmas when she was ill.

After Ruth's parents died, she lived with her sister and brother-in-law. In 1995 after her brother-in-law died she was one of the first participants in the Providence ElderPlace daycare In Seattle. This opened up an extended world for her-she loved the van rides to and from on the two or three days a week she attended. She especially enjoyed playing bingo and doing crafts. Through ElderPlace, Ruth qualified for some caregiver time at home-a few hours per week at first and more as her sister's health declined. There were several different dedicated caregivers that assisted Ruth. Eventually one caregiver, Nancy Ardena, was assigned to Ruth and assisted her with great care for eight years. Ruth's niece, Diane, also assisted Ruthie and her sister, Bernice. Ruth's family was and is so thankful for the significant part that Providence ElderPlace had in Ruth's life for sixteen years.

At the end of 2011, Ruth moved to Columbia Lutheran Home as her sister fell and needed to be in a nursing facility, This was a challenge for Ruth but she adjusted and enjoyed the activities, especially bowling. Ruth had to deal with the death of her loving sister, Bernice, this past May. We are grateful for the staff at Columbia Lutheran Home who cared about Ruth and attended to her needs. Ruthie (as she was known by those closest to her) entered heaven on January 1,2013--New Year's Day--at age 91.

Ruth leaves behind her niece, Diane; nephew, Bob; great-nephews Ryan and David; great-niece Noelle; and numerous friends and neighbors who cared about her much.