Ruth Janette Estes

RUTH JANETTE ESTES
October 16, 1934 ˜ April 30, 2023

Ruth Janette Estes (nee Meredith) passed away April 30, 2023. She is survived in death by her two daughters, Kathy and Debbie; her son Eric and wife Peg; four grandchildren, Traci, Sara, Heather and husband Max, and Elan; as well as her brother David and wife Martha. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maury; son, Ricki; and sister, Marylee.
Ruth Janette (Meredith) Estes was born Oct. 16, 1934, to Harold (Spike) and Molly Meredith in Mellen, WI. She came West with her parents and siblings in 1940/41, with stops in Lake Chatcolet and Plummer, ID, before landing in Spokane, WA. Ruth graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1952.
Ruth married and had three children before she decided to continue her education at EWSC/EWU in Cheney, WA, in 1960. Graduating in 1965 she accepted a teaching job in Vancouver, WA. In Ruth’s 26 years of teaching she taught at various elementary schools 4, 5, 6th grades or combo’s. During that time Ruth also remarried and had a son.
During Ruth’s summers she travelled. She visited Germany, Norway to trace maternal heritage, and Ireland. When she and her husband both retired they spent time travelling to 41 of the continental states in their RV, along with travelling to Canada and Hawaii. She also took trips back to Mellen for Meredith reunions and tracking her paternal heritage. And lastly a cruise to Mexico.
Ruth often had a garden, spent time learning about Carl Jung, genealogy, played with a monthly pinochle group, and volunteered with the Red Cross, City of Vancouver, the hospital, Clark College and tutored both elementary and college students. Ruth was a member of the Retired Teacher’s Association, WEA, NEA, Vancouver First United Methodist Church, and a Happy Hopper square dance group. Ruth also enjoyed attending concerts and plays.
Last few years Ruth suffered from Parkinson’s and dementia. A heartful Thank You to Bonaventure Salmon Creek Memory Care staff and Hospice who helped make her comfortable in her decline. Family will organize a Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruth’s name to Hospice -please make checks payable to Kaiser Permanente Hospice and send to Kaiser Permanente Hospice, 500 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, OR 97232. Ruth’s body was gifted to further medical and educational research.
With all the young people Ruth taught in her 26 years, parents, and all the folks she met in her volunteer roles, along with friends and family, may Ruth’s memory live on.
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