Ruth Woodward

Woodward, Ruth
86, of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, passed away peacefully at home on April 23, 2011 after an 11 month battle with cancer. Born to Swedish immigrants, Ann and Einar Larsson on May 28, 1924, Ruth grew up with her sister Betty in Illinois in the Moline and Chicago areas. In 1960 after becoming an independent woman, she and her five children relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. In the early 60's she accepted a position with the Maricopa County Department of Health Services in the Environmental Services Division where she met her soul mate (Harold Woodward) and worked until retirement after 23 years of service. In her retirement she enjoyed touring Scandinavia, visiting relatives in Sweden and being the American emissary when relatives were visiting from Sweden. She was a consummate volunteer in her retirement, volunteering at John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix and working with the Arizona Woodman of the World in Fraternal Services as their Arizona Fraternal Coordinator. She was an active WOW Lodge member since the age of 17, and held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and President of WOW Phoenix Lodge 3; as well as the position of Arizona Jurisdictional President. Ruth relocated to the island of Maui, Hawaii in 1994 and enmeshed herself in the island aloha as a resident of Kula in upcountry Maui for the past 17 years. She had been a part-time volunteer with the Kula Hospital Auxiliary and was an active member of the Kula Chapter of AARP. She was an avid gardener and found solace in having her hands in the soil. Ruth will be remembered for her deep friendships, her love for her family, and her willingness to be of service to others. She was preceded by her beloved husband Harold B. Woodward, her sister Betty Reeves, her son Jay A. Kegley and grandsons Dean Eagen and Kevin R. Kegley. She is survived by her daughters Linda J. Boring (Louis) of Makawao, Maui, HI, Anne E. Kegley of Phoenix, AZ, and Kristine A. Hatfield (Kenneth) of Peoria, AZ; her son Ernest C. Kegley of Phoenix, AZ; ten grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. No services are presently planned; however, a celebration of her life will be arranged in Phoenix, AZ at a later date. In heartfelt gratitude to Hospice Maui the family would request memorial donations be made to Hospice Maui, 400 Mahalani Street, Wailuku, HI 96793.