Gloria Stepon Ruffle

On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, our dear Mom peacefully went to sleep and didn't wake up. How do you condense 82 years? Mom was born, she lived and she died. But oh, how she lived. Gloria Stepon Ruffle was born the seventh child of eight to Charles F. Stepon and Mary (Petrak) Stepon on August 18, 1925. She was born at the St. Anthony's Hospital in Wenatchee, but they made their home in Quincy. Grandpa had a butcher shop and Mom told many a story of helping in the shop with the sawdust floor. Growing up in Quincy with the rabbit roundups, walking to school holding little Dickie's hand and telling stories of how the land looked before the water and the people. Mom graduated from Quincy High School in 1943. She went to business school and has been a member of the Wenatchee Chapter of Mu Gamma Sorority since 1947. Mom was introduced to our Dad, Richard C. Ruffle, by her brother, Percy. Dad and Mom were married on September 9, 1951, and have since made their home in East Wenatchee. We kids started arriving regularly, Rick in 1952, Lyle in 1953, Larry in 1955, Mavis in 1957, Garnet in 1958, Valerie in 1960, and our baby sister, Tamara in 1962. Seven kids in ten years. We don't remember Mom having a job outside the home, at least not one that paid wages, and who would've babysat us? If we kids were involved in something, so was Mom. She was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader for many years. She was a rock hound, belonging to the Ginkgo Mineral Society, a devoted member of the Foresters and loved her sorority sisters. She was a dedicated blood donor, but having to stop donating after a cancer diagnosis, both Lyle and Larry (who hate needles) continued on for her and collectively have donated over 25 gallons. We had many a day trip to go fishing at the Quincy Lakes or looking for arrowheads at Spanish Castle. There was always a pretty rock or a yard sale that could not be passed by. The back lawn was filled with boys working on their cars. If you looked in the cupboard, you could usually find a piece of candy, if it was a box of candy, you better check for nibbles, because if she didn't like it, it went back in the box. Mom says, "Flowers are pretty, but if I can't eat it, I don't want it." We enjoyed Easter candy at Halloween. We did learn later, to always check the pull dates! We had a two week family vacation every year, all nine of us loaded into the station wagon towing a tent trailer rented from Herb Swanson at Herb's Rent-all. We went to exotic places like Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Mr. Rushmore, the Corn Palace, always ending up in Canada, at Auntie Jenny and Uncle Matt's. Mom always packed healthy meals for us on the road. We usually stopped at a rest area and out would come the 15 cent loaf of white bread, thin sliced bologna and the squirt bottle of mustard. Open a can of pork-n-beans and a can of Cragmont pop and we had a feast. Evenings always ended with a chapter or two of Rupert Piper, Henry and his dog, Ribsy, Ramona and Beezus. You instilled a deep love of reading in all of us. As Grandma, she would relax in her chair and let her beloved grandkids fix her hair, put vivid colors of makeup on her eyes and lips, rub lotion on her legs and arms. They thought it was fun, but we know Mom just wanted a nap. She always had time for every one of her grandbabies and was available for sports and school functions. What an example of love. Mom loved people and spent her later years as a volunteer for many organizations. You could always find her at the piano, as music was a first love. Mom and her band, "The Rhythm Makers" played for many dances and events throughout the Valley, they were so loved. Rarely did she use sheet music, as her memory was outstanding. Mom dressed up in costumes for every holiday, loving bright colors and sparkly jewelry. Mom is survived by her children, Richard M. (Joy) of East Wenatchee, Lyle A. (Julie) of Ephrata, Larry C. (Jill) of East Wenatchee, Mavis M. (Ron) Melcher of Ephrata, Garnet S. (Tom) Philleo of Eltopia, Tami L. (Jeff) Zanol of Orondo; one brother, Percy (Lee) Stepon of Ephrata; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren with two on the way; a special niece, Frannie Miller; and a large extended family and many friends. She goes to meet Dad and Valerie, ready to share her stories and perhaps give Valerie a break from cooking for Dad. We invite you to share in our Celebration of a wonderful Life on Tuesday, march 25, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church, 1601 Fifth Street, Wenatchee. Please bring your memories and join our family. Memorials may be made to: Ovarian Cancer Survivors Foundation, 1355 Beaverhead Road, Helena, MT 59602-7604 or Wenatchee Valley Senior Activities Center, 1312 Maple Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801.