Ruth Scoville Reese

Ruth Scoville Reese, 82, of Phoenix, Arizona, died on May 9, 2024. She was born January 9, 1942, in rural Wisconsin, the third of Ed and Edna Scoville's six children.

Ruth loved a good walk, a good book, a good trip, and a good movie accompanied by an extra-large tub of popcorn. She was always up for playing a board game, invariably attributing any of her rare incorrect Trivial Pursuit answers to poorly written questions. Throughout her life, she was known for her willingness to help others and lend an ear or a shoulder whenever the need arose.

Ruth received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. in Human Development and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She spent her professional career as a private-practice family therapist and as a faculty member in the Educational Psychology department at Arizona State University.

She is survived by her husband Tom; daughter Shannon (Scott) Studden; grandchildren Charlotte (Garron) Torma and Dylan (Grace Restle) Studden; sisters Carol, Jeanne, Anne, and Linda Scoville, sister-in-law Mary Lou Schreiber, and 20 much-beloved nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Edna Scoville and brother Eddie Scoville.

Two Celebration of Life services are planned to honor Ruth's memory. The first will be held June 23 from 9am – 12 pm at Tom and Ruth's house in Phoenix, and the second on August 25 from 12 – 2 pm at The Nature Place in La Crosse, WI. In accordance with Ruth's wishes to celebrate her life, attendees are encouraged not to wear black or dark clothing. During both services, anyone wishing to share a story about Ruth will be welcome to do so.

Ruth's longest-lasting legacy comes from the positive impact she had on others as a therapist and educator, and above all, through her unwavering love for family and friends. Accordingly, to honor Ruth's memory, please consider doing one extra thing (no matter how small) to positively impact someone in your life or community.