RUTH MARGARET STAFFORD

1927 - 2015

RUTH MARGARET STAFFORD obituary, 1927-2015, Liberty, MO

RUTH MARGARET STAFFORD

1927 - 2015

BORN

1927

DIED

2015

RUTH STAFFORD Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.
Ruth Margaret Haskins Stafford, 87, passed peacefully at her home in Independence on February 12, 2015. She was born September 30, 1927, in Oak Park, Illinois. Her passion for aviation led Ruth to become a licensed commercial pilot, flight instructor and airline transport pilot. Along with her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Sheldon; son, Reggie; and brothers, Roland and Jimmy Haskins. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Delores Stafford, Ronnie and Susan Stafford; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. She also leaves her sister and brother-in-law, Rhodanne and James Schiller; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, followed by a service celebrating Ruth's life at 3:00 pm, on Tuesday, February 17, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1600 North State Route 291 (I-35 at 291 Highway), Liberty, MO. Interment will be in the Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Vitas Hospice. Arrangements: Park Lawn Northland Chapel (816) 781- 8228.

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February 9, 2024

Mirjana posted to the memorial.

February 9, 2021

Mirjana Fritsche posted to the memorial.

March 23, 2015

Joanne Collins posted to the memorial.

Mirjana

February 9, 2024

Forever in my heart and my memories !

Mirjana Fritsche

February 9, 2021

Dear Ruth, you are still living in our harts and memories!

Thank you for all, you have enriched our lives!

Mirjana, Isabelle, Gallus, Anna and Vladimir

Joanne Collins

March 23, 2015

To Ruth's Family, We the members of First Ward Republican Club express our sincere sympathy to each of you. Ruth served our club at her home and was the most gracious hostess. She gave of her time,talents and treasures making a contribution to all of our outreach programs. We will miss her and we will keep you in our prayers. Thanks for sharing Ruth with us. Joanne M. Collins, President

March 2, 2015

We were so sorry to hear of Ruth's passing. We met Ruth at the Missouri Yacht Club and spent many Thursday Night dinners at her table. With her engaging personality and wonderful stories of flying, the Lake and the MYC she was a pleasure to be around. She will be missed by all those who knew her. Our sympathies to her family. Joni and Doug Carlson

Ruth and Sheldon Stafford - Legendary Ferry Pilots

February 28, 2015

February 28, 2015

Ruth and Sheldon visited Novi Sad and gave for Yugoslavian newspapers interview about flying across the Atlantic - world famuous ferry pilots couple!

February 28, 2015

Ruth Stafford, Mirjana and Ib Nielsen in Esbjerg, Denmark

Isabelle Fritsche

February 28, 2015

Ruth we loved every visit with you! You made it always very special. You remembered all my birthdays. I loved playing cards with you and learning to speak english with you. I miss you...Isabelle

February 27, 2015

Ruth has been a special friend for many years. First at Lake Lotawana, then later in Sunday School Class at Country Club Christian. What an amazing person she was. She certainly enjoyed life and lived it fully. We always loved her flying stories as well as stories of her car racing. She was fearless and accomplished. Esther Atha

Mirjana Fritsche

February 22, 2015

February 22, 2015

Draga naa Ruth
Ostavila si nas u bolu i tuzi da se sjeamo tvojih lepih osobina, tvojih prijateljskih susreta, tvoje humanosti i neustrasivosti.
Secam se tvogprvog susreta u St. Moritzu kad si sa svojim suprugom Sheldonom preletjela
Atlanski okean i neustraiva , Lepa i elegantna stigla da otvori kolu za pilote za prekookeanski let jednomotornim avionima. Ti Ruth,Sheldon i Mirjana bili ste atrakcija. Secam se i tvojih poseta u NoviSad,Srbiju, Sloveniju kao i u Svajcarsku kad si plenila svojom elegancijom, armom i ljubaznou .tvoje estitke, pokloni potsecaju nas na tebe. Jo nedavno poslala si naoj Isabelle poklon za roendan .
Nikada se nisi predavala, bila si veliki borac ali se ipak sve zavrilo tragino .. Poivaj u miru naa draga Ruth! Uvek emo te nositi u svojim srcima ! Vladimir i Ana

Mirjana Fritsche

February 21, 2015

Atlantic Crossings with Ruth Stafford - thank you for all Ruth: you are in in my heart forever!

Mirjana Fritsche

February 21, 2015

Ruth Stafford experienced ferry pilot, great person, beautiful lady and best friend!

Mirjana Fritsche

February 21, 2015

February 21, 2015

Dear Ruth I miss you sooo much!!!!

I remember 1982, UK; you and Sheldon came with your Bonanza to visit Europe. I was so impressed with beautiful, courageous lady to fly over the ocean! I wanted to be close to you and learn as much I could
.and you visited me in Yugoslavia, I stayed at your home and learned so much from you, about flying, about life, about being good person, about being great mother!
We flew together in USA, we flew together over the Atlantic, we did seminars and were teaching other how to do it!
We went through ups and downs life has brought us, with Sheldon and Reggie sickness, with Gallus sickness and Isabelle hospitals and surgeries; but still we met all these years again and again in so many places on the Earth! We talked on the phone oftenI will miss all that
Thank you for more than 33 years of such a special friendship! You were the one that turned my life to a good side, you were the one to help when it was needed, you were the one to have fun and share when life was not going the right way I miss you soo much, but you will live forever in my heart like on this photos!!!
Beautiful, gorgeous lady, great pilot, special person will be for ever in my heart! We love you Ruth!!!


Mirjana with Gallus, Isabelle, Anna, Vladimir, and all the other friends from Europe and Africa:
Kajetan (Slovenia) , Kamilo, Slavica (Croatia), Ingrid ( Germany), Zora (Serbia), Ursula, Philippe, Felicitas, Oliver, Sebastian (Switzerland) Hetti (South Africa) Heidi, Rosi, Ib Nielson ( Denmark), Jane & Robi (Kenia)

Mirjana Fritsche

February 21, 2015

Dear Ruth, I miss you sooo much!!!!

I remember 1982, UK; you and Sheldon came with your Bonanza to visit Europe. I was so impressed with beautiful, courageous lady to fly over the ocean! I wanted to be close to you and learn as much I could
.and you visited me in Yugoslavia, I stayed at your home and learned so much from you, about flying, about life, about being good person, about being great mother!
We flew together in USA, we flew together over the Atlantic, we did seminars and were teaching other how to do it!
We went through ups and downs life has brought us, with Sheldon and Reggie sickness, with Gallus sickness and Isabelle hospitals and surgeries; but still we met all these years again and again in so many places on the Earth! We talked on the phone oftenI will miss all that
Thank you for more than 33 years of such a special friendship! You were the one that turned my life to a good side, you were the one to help when it was needed, you were the one to have fun and share when life was not going the right way I miss you soo much, but you will live forever in my heart like on this photos!!!
Beautiful, gorgeous lady, great pilot, special person will be for ever in my heart! We love you Ruth!!!


Mirjana with Gallus, Isabelle, Anna, Vladimir, and all the other friends from Europe and Africa:
Kajetan (Slovenia) , Kamilo, Slavica (Croatia), Ingrid ( Germany), Zora (Serbia), Ursula, Philippe, Felicitas, Oliver, Sebastian (Switzerland) Hetti (South Africa) Heidi, Rosi, Ib Nielson ( Denmark), Jane & Robi (Kenia)

1st solo, 8/17/88, with Dick Hartzler, Ruth Stafford, and Charlie Smith

Amanda Hinote

February 17, 2015

I was honored to have flown with Ruth in the Navy Aero Club in the late 80's/early 90's while working on my private and instrument tickets. What a great lady she was and what adventures she and Sheldon had together through the years! My condolences to you.

Mona and Dick Hartzler

February 16, 2015

We were saddened to hear of Ruth's passing. She was such a fun lady. She gave flight instruction to our daughter and later was always interested in hearing about where she was flying in her career as a pilot. She and Sheldon amazed us with their stories of ferrying planes across the north Atlantic and we enjoyed both of them so much. Our sincere sympathy to all of the family.

February 16, 2015

I had the pleasure of flying with Ruth when she returned to KC in 2005 after Sheldon passed away. She wanted to rejoin the flying club and re-attain her CFI skills, and she asked me to help her with that. The Kansas City Flying Club (previously known as the Kansas City Navy Flying Club) was blessed to have her and Sheldon as club members in the 1970's and then again 10 years ago. We will miss her.

Roger Roberts

February 15, 2015

I was very fortunate to have Ruth as my flight instructor, what a joy. Her and Sheldon, we committed to flying and give me not only, great fundamental instruction, but good common sense ways to enjoy the sport and be safe. I will always look back at those time with her in the cockpit as much more than just a flight instructor.

Elaine Melchior

February 15, 2015

I am blessed to have met this amazing lady. May God comfort your family and friends. Rest in peace. Elaine Barkley Melchior - Greater Kansas City 99s

Larry Swinney

February 15, 2015

Randy and Ronnie,

I don't know if you remember me. I am Frank Lilly's stepson. I am very saddened to learn of the passing of your mother. I always enjoyed Ruth and Sheldon's company immensely at the various soaring activities we attended together. I don't know of anyone who lived a fuller and more interesting life than they did, sharing most of their adventures together.

Sheldon was my first flight instructor. He turned me loose on my first solo flight in an old Schweitzer GT-3A World War II training glider back in 1962 when I was 15 years old. Frank and Sheldon were partners in a Schleicher KA-6 sailplane and I did a lot of ground crewing for them. I think my first attempt to water ski on a slalom ski was at your folks place on Lake Lotawana. You guys were both barefoot skiing at the time which I found pretty impressive since I had trouble just staying up on one ski.

We think of Ruth and Sheldon often, but had lost touch some time ago. While talking with my mother just a few days ago, we were wonder how Ruth was doing. Please accept heartfelt condolences from Larry and Linda Swinney and Mary Jane Lilly.

Barbara (BJ) Vanecek

February 14, 2015

The first time I flew with Ruth was to my first 99s section meeting in Lexington, KY, a number of years ago. She was a good person, a good friend and very giving and kind. She always had a smile. A gracious lady. I will miss her. She is with Sheldon and Reggie exploring her new horizons. Blue skies, Ruth.
BJ Vanecek, Greater KC 99s

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Park Lawn Funeral Home - Liberty-Northland Chapel

1640 N. State Route 291, Liberty, MO 64068

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February 9, 2024

Mirjana posted to the memorial.

February 9, 2021

Mirjana Fritsche posted to the memorial.

March 23, 2015

Joanne Collins posted to the memorial.