Ruth Frances Barker

BARKER, RUTH FRANCES GASSARD Ruth, 81, passed away as the result of an accident on Friday July 28, 2006 in the company of her family. Ruth was born in Portsmouth, Ohio on September 15, 1924 to Martha Jones Gassard and Francis Anthony Gassard. Around the age of 10 years, she relocated to California with her mother and sister, Jane Gassard White. Ruth received her R.N. and worked at the bedside for many years, although the operating room was her favorite place. She became Assistant Director of Nursing and then Director of Quality Assurance and Risk Management, building and managing this new program until her retirement from St. Bernadine Medical Center in California in 1990. She moved with her daughter Jan to Arizona in 2004. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, stepfather Jack Wilson and sister Jane. Ruth, affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, G.G. (great- grandma), is survived by her three children, Lyn Barker Odell of Ogden, UT; Jan Barker Reed of Gilbert, AZ; John Anthony Barker of San Diego, CA; eight grandchildren, Shannon Irene Odell of Clinton, UT; John Morgan Odell, Sarah Odell Hill, Karie Marie Odell, all of Ogden, UT; Mary Odell Mau of San Diego, CA; Harrison Thomas Odell of Draper, UT; Richard Scott Reed of Mesa, AZ; Randy Barker Reed of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; and 18 great grandchildren! Private Services will be held in San Diego on August 12, 2006 with an open reception following at the home of her son beginning at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Lung Association. Donate online or find mailing addresses at: www.lungusa.orgPlease sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com