RUTH BERNICE PALIUGHI

Ruth Bernice (Ghan) Paliughi was born in Fresno, CA on January 11, 1926, and passed away peacefully at Hinds Hospice on September 18, 2016. Ruth lived all but seven years of her life in Fresno, a place she always loved. Ruth was a devout Christian and a self taught Bible scholar. Her faith was put towards helping many others through charitable work in many rest homes tending to the physical and spiritual needs of the elderly. She also was an active supporter of the Fresno Rescue Mission both financially and through on site ministry. Ruth was proud of being a homemaker who raised two sons. She also helped her husband start and run a small trucking business in Fresno, Educator Trucking. She worked in the office there for many years. Ruth, a member of the Ghan family of 12 children, was one of many women who's life was changed dramatically at the early age of 17. Ruth was attending Fresno Technical High School when World War II brought thousands of soldiers and airmen to Fresno beginning in 1941. Most were based at Hammer Field, now the Fresno Air Terminal, and Camp Pinedale. She met her husband of 49 years, Irwin F. Paliughi, who was a Lieutenant stationed at Camp Pinedale and who one day came into Stillman's Drug Store where Ruth worked, across from Fresno High School. Ruth spent the entire war living with Irwin's family in North Bergen, NJ awaiting her husband's return from Europe. She gave birth to her first son there. Ruth and Irwin returned to Fresno to start a new life and a business in 1950, as well as raise another son. Irwin preceded her in death in 1992. Ruth's love for the Lord became her passion for the rest of her life as a member and Sunday school teacher at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Free Church and People's Church, which her father, Daniel Solomon Ghan helped found by dragging an old barracks building from the abandoned Hammer Field to the corner of Cedar and Dakota in the early 1950's. A high point in Ruth's life was a trip to the Holy Land in 1977, with her sister Naomi. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Irwin; as well as her parents, Daniel and Pearl Ghan; and brothers, Carl, Alvin, Buddy, Bob, Don, and Dave; and sisters, Phyllis and Thelma Mae. She is survived by her sons, Ron Paliughi and his wife Barbara, and Steve Paliughi of Fresno; as well as her brother, Douglas Ghan and wife Janet of Fresno; and sisters, Darlene Steele of San Jose, CA, and Naomi Jay of Coeur d' Lane, ID. She was the proud grandmother of David Paliughi of Redwood City, CA, Nicholas Paliughi of Lake Worth, FL, and Matthew Paliughi and wife Samantha of Fresno; and great-granddaughter, Jenna Paliughi of Redwood City, CA. A Viewing will be held at Farewell Funeral Services, 660 W. Locust Ave., Fresno, CA on Thursday, September 22, 2016, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held at Clovis Cemetery on Friday, September 23, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon at People's Church beginning at 11:30 a.m.