RUTH P. PAINTER

Ruth Pauline Painter has a change of address.

On Dec. 21, 2009, she moved from her home in Stanwood to her heavenly home where she will be reunited with family members and friends who have gone before.

Ruth was a practical, private and a profound thinking person, who loved fellowship, but also treasured her solitude.

She had a great sense of humor, and was an avid reader. She liked to collect sayings or adages, each one containing a lesson, such as, “no knowledge was ever known to enter the head via an open mouth,” or “you cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”

Among Ruth’s favorite books were the dictionary and the Bible, especially the Book of Proverbs. Other of her pleasures were watching sports broadcasts on television and solving crossword puzzles.

Ruth was born Ruth Hobart in Doty, Wash., Oct. 18, 1923.

Her mother died at Ruth and her twin brother’s birth. Both were adopted as infants by A. Lodwick, in Olympia.

Among the variety of jobs she held through the years were telephone operator, sales clerk, “Ruthie the Riveter” during WWII and Josephine Sunset Home. She considered the best job of all was being a stay-athome mom until her family was grown.

For many years Ruth was a Sunday school teacher. She was very active as a reader in women’s prayer circles. In later years, she enjoyed being a member of Child Evangelism Prayer Circle.

Ruth was one of the organizers and first secretary of Marysville Special Ed. P.T.A. She was also a Boy Scout den mother (Den 5, Troop 80) and an active adult member of Brownie and Girl Scouts (Totem Council).

Ruth moved from Marysville to Stanwood in the summer of 1965.

Here she was an assistant leader in Campfire Girls. She was also involved with The Stanwood Senior Center from the beginning. Her husband, Fay J. was an original board member of the center, a member of the Baptist Church and a Gold Sheaf member of the Grange.

Ruth’s survivors are son Merle Painter and wife Karen of Minnesota, sister Marjorie Dahl of Chehalis, granddaughter Sarah; five grandsons Steven, James, Christopher, Timothy and Daniel; and three greatgrandchildren.

Ruth was also fond of her stepfamily. Stepdaughter Deloris (Jim) Adler, of Oregon; stepson Kenneth (Kay) Painter of Idaho; five step grandchildren; and 12 step great-grandchildren.

She also leaves her much loved special family Judy, Jeffrey and Tim Pearce and families, of Stanwood.

“Life is not forever. Love is.”

Ruthie enjoyed life and will be missed by all who loved her.

Memorials may be made to the Support 99 Chaplain Program at the Stanwood Fire Department.

Graveside services were held Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Cedarhome Cemetery, Stanwood.

Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.