Ruth Putnam

Ruth Alene Putnam, longtime Deming resident passed away on January 22, 2014. Ruth, who celebrated 85 years of life was visiting her daughter, Karen, in Sacramento, CA when she suffered a heart attack and died of complications associated with the condition at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento surrounded by her family. A prayer vigil will be Thursday evening, February 6th at 6 o'clock at Baca's Funeral Chapel led by Suzanne Lundy. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday Feb. 7, 2014 at 10 o'clock at Holy Family Catholic Church in Deming followed by interment at Mt. View Cemetery. Fr. Ron Machado will officiate. Ruth Putnam was born to Mary and Clarence Ripley in Pajarito, NM on November 3, 1928 as the youngest of eight children. She was born just ten days after the family arrived in New Mexico by way of Texas and Missouri. Ruth spent her entire life as a resident of New Mexico where she graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1946, married Lewis Putnam September 30, 1948 in Albuquerque, raised a family of four in Deming and then went back to school at Western New Mexico University where she earned a degree in education in 1972. Ruth taught for over 20 years at Deming Junior High enjoying the opportunity to educate students on History and English, subjects that she was so passionate about. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, being active with the Altar Society, serving as a Eucharistic and Liturgical minister and singing in the church choir for many years. Her other interests were in the Garden Railroad Clubs of New Mexico and the Pan American Round Table. Ruth loved to sew and crochet, talents she learned from her mother, shared the gifts she made with her children and many friends. She enjoyed garden railroading, especially building the scenery and designing the buildings. Ruth traveled all over the world to learn about different cultures. She shared her experiences of the places she visited and educated her students by her well known slide shows after many of her trips. Some of the places that she truly enjoyed going to included the former Soviet Union, Berlin before the wall came down, China, Australia, Spain, Portugal, Rome, South America, Alaska, and Canada. Ruth will be missed by her family, Glenn Putnam (Amy) of Sierra Madre CA, Cheryl Grandia of Albuquerque , Karen Putnam of Rancho Cordova, CA and Dierdre Simmons (Don) of Clive, IA; five grandchildren, Cameron and Alexandria Grandia, Theresa, Laura and Joseph Simmons, a sister-in-law, Mary Waldkirch and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis, on Oct. 9, 2010. Please send any memorial contributions to the Holy Family Catholic Church, 612 S. Copper, Deming, New Mexico, 88030 in lieu of flowers. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels. To sign the online guest book or to send a card, please visit our website at www.bacasfuneralchapels.com.811 S. Gold Ave., Deming, NM 88030. Phone: 575.546.9671