Ruth Kelley

RUTH KELLEY Entered into peaceful rest while lovingly surrounded by her family on Sunday morning, March 28, at her home of 46 years in the Fairview area of Hayward. Ruth was devoted to her family, faith and friends. She was one of the originating founders of the "Mentally Handicapped Children's Organization" (MHCO) in 1949, one of the first such organizations in the Bay Area. She was an active volunteer for the Ladies Auxiliary for Retarded Children (LARC), gave her time to the Red Cross for five summers, where she taught swimming to deaf children, and also taught swimming to several blind children who went on to compete in the Special Olympics. During the winter months she volunteered as a bowling score keeper for the disabled. Ruth grew up in Saranac Lake, New York, where she married Sam, her high school sweetheart and husband of 62 years, whom she now joins in peaceful rest. She is survived by her son Tom Kelley, daughter Nancy Albury, granddaughter Stacey Thompson and her husband, Tony, and their two children, Robert and Alexandria, her grandson Darren and his wife, Michelle, and their three children, Alicia, Isabella and Eva, along with her extended family of nieces, nephews and friends. Ruth will always be remembered as a loving mother and loyal friend. Her tremendous love, strength of will, her courage of conviction and faith, which she imparted to those who loved her, will act as a beacon of light and serve as a wonderful guide to those who survive her. She truly believed it was greater to give than to receive. She will be greatly missed. Family and friends are invited to contribute donations in Mrs. Kelley's memory to those organizations she so devotedly supported, the MHCO or LARC, 4146 Krolop Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546, or to the American Red Cross at any of their local offices.