Ruth Moseley Watson, age 86, passed away quietly and comfortably October 6, 2015, at her home in Laurel Parc at Bethany Village in Portland, Oregon following a stroke.
Florence Ruth Barker was born in the family home in Olympia, Washington on May 25, 1929 to Paul and Lula Jane (Jeffers) Barker. Through she was named for an aunt, her family always called her Ruth. During the second World War, her mother took her and her siblings to obtain birth certificates to prove their citizenship. There she was given the chance to changer her name, and because of her love for Helen Ardell chocolates, she became Ruth Ardell Barker. Her love of chocolate lasted her entire lifetime.
Ruth married Roger Lee Moseley after graduating high school, and had sons Roger and Randal. As a young family, the Moseleys moved to Hilo, Hawaii. It was an exciting time – she recalled Hilo having just one traffic light, and being able to charge items at local stores with only a handshake. In 1958, she was featured in Hawaiian Menu magazine for her baking, highlighting her delicious breads. And in May, 1960 the family survived the famous tsunami without a scratch. Ruth remembered that the community turned out to help the devastated Hilo waterfront, brightening an otherwise sad time.
Temporarily back in the Pacific Northwest, Ruth and family attended the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle, and enjoyed time with extended family. In June, 1967 Ruth earned her Bachelors degree from the University of Hawaii. Subsequently, the family moved to Portland, where Ruth earned her Masters in Education from Portland State University, and taught in Portland Public Schools and Portland Community College for over two decades. Sadly, she and Roger divorced in 1981.
In 1981, Ruth became a grandmother for the first time, and the grandchildren kept coming for the next 20 years. She thrived in this role, and loved snuggling, reading and playing with each child. They were her pride and joy.
Ruth married Al Zack in 1985, and added to her family, his daughter Kristina and his adult children Terry, Sheralyn and Steve. Ruth embraced the young Kristina as the daughter she never had, and they grew a close and lasting relationship. Ruth and Al later divorced.
In March 2013, at 83 years young, Ruth married Bill Watson; her children, Roger (Heidi) Moseley, Randal (Michele) Moseley, and Kristina (Tim) Kurtz; sisters Helen Lozier, Joan Conway, and Ramona Griffin; eight much enjoyed grandchildren; two adorable great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Oren Barker.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Sunset Presbyterian Church in Portland. A reception will follow at the church. The family suggests donations in her memory be made to Sunset Presbyterian Church.