Barbara Rutt

1948 - 2023

Barbara Rutt
April 27, 1948 - August 26, 2023
Tacoma, Washington - Barbara Ann Rutt, 75, left us on August 26, 2023, after a life filled with a loving family and great many friends, a fulfilling career in fashion, and a zest for fun, good times and all things Mexico.
Barbara was born on April 27, 1948, in Lompoc, CA, and arrived in Tacoma at a young age. She lived here the rest of her life. She was a 1966 graduate of Stadium High School, where she met classmate Ted Rutt. They wedded three years after graduation and were blessed with a 53-year marriage.
Barbara's expertise in fashion was built from a 36-year career as a sales associate in women's apparel at the Tacoma Mall The Bon Marche and Macy's. For much of that time, she staffed a popular department known as The Cube. She dearly loved the people she worked with as well as her many loyal and trusting customers.
She and Ted had an active social life with their many friends, and both held a passion Mexico, particularly Puerto Vallarta. They frequently made multiple trips there a year. They loved the people and culture and befriended many vendors, restaurant owners and staff and others.
Throughout her life, Barbara was sought out by many friends for her thoughtful advice and smart instincts. To those who knew her, she offered sound judgments without being judgmental.
Besides Ted, she leaves behind her loving sister and brother-in-law, Monica and David Cooper; sister-in-law, Marlene Barnett; brother-and-sister-in-law, Frank and Sue Rutt; a cousin in Australia, Jackie Hickman; and many nieces and nephews. During her long illness, Barbara enjoyed steady support from close friends Louann Martin, Gigi Lancaster, Edie Gordon, Dani Clement and Paula Salie Novotny. Her caregiver and loyal friend Lucy Wangari provided love and attentiveness during the final year of Barbara's life. The family is also grateful to Multicare Hospice and to Daisy Compton, an advocate for End of Life Washington, for their care.
Throughout Ted's close attention to Barbara's needs, he had his own supporters. He thanks his Saturday lunch group of John Marzano, Dick Marzano, Loren Ezell, Mike Mitchell, Jim Leeder and Brian Hoff for their support as well as friends Will Kinne, Chuck Reece and Bob Mitchell. From a shared experience dealing with the terminal illness of a loved one, friend Tom McKinnon also was a significant source of support.
At Barbara's request, no funeral services will be held. A celebration of her life is planned for the near future.