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Ruth Olina Sawyer

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Ingraham High School

Ruth Sawyer Obituary

Ruth Olina SAWYER 4-7-27 to 1-18-11 Ruth Olina Sawyer was the daughter of the Reverend Nils J. Holm and Marie Olson Holm. Her birthplace was Billings, Montana, and during her younger years resided with her parents in several midwest loca tions, and then Minneapolis. She married her devoted husband, Hal in Ellsworth, Wisconsin on March 5, l954. They transferred to Seattle, in March l956 and have been Washing ton residents since then. She had four loving children, Mark of Oslo, Nor way, and, Phillip, James and Lisa who reside locally. There are six step grandchildren and one grand child, Nathan, who lives at their home. In early 1960, she joined the English staff of Seattle's Ingraham High School where she became one of its most beloved teachers until she retired in 1982. She was able to travel extensively with her husband and ex ercised the art of friendhip wherever she went. In 2001 she had a hip opera tion followed by a stroke which greatly restricted her life until its fi nality. Funeral services will be con ducted by the Reverend David Mar shall at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church located at 722 N. 145th St., Shoreline, at 1:30 P.M., January 29th 2011. Burial will be at St. Dunstan's Columbarium, and Washelli has been in charge of arrangements. Should anyone desire contribution suggestions, it is St. Dunstan's St. Agnes Guild, or the Organ Fund.

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Published by The Seattle Times on Jan. 23, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Sawyer

16 Entries

Cindy and John Brediger, class of 77

February 16, 2011

Mrs. Sawyer made a difference. She cared, caused us to think and we scrambled to fill her classes. Special thanks to her family for sharing her with us. She will be warmly remembered.

kathy HOFF

February 6, 2011

Mrs. Sawyer had a higher opinion of me than I deserved but in so doing, she helped me to love myself a bit better. She was full of joy and very sensitive. She honored diversity before anyone knew what that meant. I was lucky to have had her as a teacher 2 of the 3 years I was at Ingraham. God bless her.

Tina Herald Kirk, IHS '71

January 30, 2011

Teacher, surrogate mother, role model, friend, mentor, hero - all these and more are what Ruth Sawyer was to me. She brought alive for me such values as tolerance, acceptance, non-judgmentalism, and unconditional love also, tenacity, commitment, and integrity. She inspired the best in her students through example by being her best always. If I prove to be half the teacher Ruth was, then I will have fulfilled my calling. One of a kind, all felt blessed her knew her. My deepest condolences to Lisa, Jimmy, Phil, Mark, and, of course, Hal. Thank you for selflessly (just like her) sharing Ruth with us!

Debbie Skaw

January 28, 2011

Ruth was a lovely neighbor and sweetheart. She always had a smile and a kimd word. She will be terribly missed.

Paula Cipolla

January 24, 2011

Ruthie, you're charming 'em up in Heaven already -- just like you did us with your beautiful smile that lit up your face, electric blue eyes & raspberry pink lipstick! you were always the hostess with the most-est having all the wisconsin alumni spoiled at your warm home for christmas & at the dabob bay cabin! we'll miss you, sweet lady! thanks for being part of our lives! Paula

Susan Arnold

January 24, 2011

We all loved Ruth, and she not only taught us well, but she cared about us as students, and loved to listen to us talk about our lives and hopes and dreams. She even arranged a prom date for me with one of my classmates, as she was worried that I was 'too serious"! I remember her with great affection. Susan Arnold, Ingraham Class of 1968

Tom Robinson

January 24, 2011

One of the best teachers ever. The world has lost a shining light, and Heaven welcomes a new angel. Tom Robinson, class of '81

January 24, 2011

Ruth was one classy lady!

Jerry Semrau, Ingraham Music Department 1965-1990.

Dean Carlson

January 23, 2011

Mrs. Sawyer was Ingraham's finest. She was fully present to her students and conveyed kindness like no other. Dean Carlson (class of 79)

Paul Rohrbach

January 23, 2011

It was an honor to be In Mrs. Sawyers class. I owe my love of writing and poetry to her. In 1978 she returned from a trip to Ireland and brought me a small plaque (which still hangs in my house to this day) with the following Irish blessing on it:
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
...And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Thank you Mrs. Sawyer Paul Rohrbach IHS Class of 1979

January 23, 2011

I had Mrs. Sawyer 2 of the 4 years I was at Ingraham. She was by far the nicest and most liked teacher there. My thoughts and prayers are with her family for their loss. Thank You Mrs. Sawyer for the memories. (Patty Lint class of "79")

Tracy Reitan (Stratton)

January 23, 2011

I graduated from Ingraham in 1978, and Mrs Sawyer was a favorite teacher of mine also! My condolences to the Sawyer family for your loss.

DONN WALVATNE

January 23, 2011

IF WE HAD (IMPOSSIBLE) MORE TEACHERS LIKE MRS SAWYER ALL KIDS WOULD LOVE TO GO TO SCHOOL, SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER! DONN WALVATNE TWISP, WA CLASS OF "68"

DONN WALVATNE

January 23, 2011

IF WE HAD (IMPOSSIBLE) MORE TEACHERS LIKE MRS SAWYER ALL KIDS WOULD LOVE TO GO TO SCHOOL!! THE NICEST TEACHER I EVER HAD, SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL! DONN WALVATNE (1968)

January 23, 2011

Mrs. Sawyer, Thank you for your wonderful years of teaching.

Karen Berg Ingraham '75'

Cindy Harkness

January 23, 2011

I graduated from Ingraham in 1973. EVERYONE wanted to be in Ms. Sawyer's class! She inspired many.

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