Ruth Morrison

Ruth B. Morrison
1920 - 2014

On January 27th, Ruth Blanchard Morrison passed away peacefully in her sleep.  Our Mother—known professionally as Ruth B. Sherman, left a legacy of outstanding Interior Design and pioneered innovations way ahead of her time for over seventy years.  She devoted her life to her Family and the Profession of Interior Design.

As a third generation native of San Francisco, she adored the history and propriety of the City.  Born in 1920 to Edna & Arthur Blanchard, she attended the prestigious Sarah Dix Hamlin School in San Francisco, and went on to Paris, France where she received her education in Design.  Returning to the SF Bay Area when World War II broke out, she apprenticed with Robert E. Robson.  Ruth opened her own Interior Design Business in Menlo Park, enabling her to provide custom designs for her clients.  Ruth was well known for her abject honesty and attention to detail, rarely missing an opportunity to further enhance the living space of long term clients and associates.

Ruth B. Sherman Interiors became well known as one of the top interior design firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Ruth was an inaugural member of AID (Association of Interior Designers).  Known later as ASID (American Society of Interior Design), she was recognized in aiding the development of ASID's first business practices handbook.  Additionally, Ruth chaired the first Asilomar Conference sponsored by ASID and lectured at the University of California Interior Design Extension Program.

In 1951, Ruth and her beloved husband, John C. Morrison, moved to Los Altos Hills establishing the "Mad Manor" legacy, where they raised their four sons and two daughters.  Known as their sanctuary, this historic 1916 vintage home included acres of walnut and apricot trees.  Both believed this picturesque and tranquil property was the appropriate setting to raise their family. 

As a self-proclaimed city girl, Ruth fell in love with the simplicity and tranquility surrounding their home and often shared her belief that she indeed lived in paradise.  Our Mother always said she was just lucky—when in fact she was an astute and savvy business-person—always looking outside the box to the promise and vision of the future and Her property developments will continue to be viable and worthwhile.

Ruth is pre-deceased by her son John C. Morrison, Jr. and her daughter Marilyn (Morrison) Coleman.  Her husband passed away in September of 1978.

She is survived by her sisters Noyon Berg and Jere Wadsworth, her children, Roger Sherman II, Susan (Sherman) Tuttle, Michael S. Morrison, and William R. Morrison II, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.  We are all very proud of her lifetime accomplishments.  May she rest in peace.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held in her honor at a later date.