Our beloved Geraldine “Ruth” Holesworth passed away on December 21, 2021 surrounded by her loving
family. Ruth was born on March 4, 1938 in Kankakee, Illinois to Evelyn Martha Patty and Luther Floyd
Patty. She spent her first six years in Kankakee. In 1944, Ruth’s Father moved to Richland ahead of Ruth
and her Mother, to begin working for DuPont on the Hanford Project. After her Father secured housing,
Ruth and her Mother traveled west arriving at the Yakima Train Station to join her father and relocate to
the White Bluffs area. Ruth was raised in Richland and lived in the government alphabet houses for
many years. She attended Sacajawea Elementary, Chief Joseph Junior High and Columbia (Richland)
High School. In 1955, Ruth married a Richland High School classmate Ronald Stephens and they had
four children. After the marriage ended in 1965, she began working at ITT. Ruth later joined Hanford
Patrol where she went on to enjoy a long career and make many close friends before retiring in 2002.
Ruth raised her four children on her own in Richland and they are truly grateful for all she taught them.
In 1982, after the children were grown, Ruth met William A. Holesworth, they married in 1983 and she
expanded her family to include three stepchildren. Ruth had many lifelong friends and continued to
communicate with them up until a couple weeks before her death. She enjoyed catching up with her
Richland Bomber classmates at occasional breakfasts and lunches. Ruth’s greatest loves were her big,
beautiful family. She was very proud of each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Ruth enjoyed spending family vacations at the Oregon Coast and Wallowa Lake, along with weekend
trips to Lewiston, Idaho to visit her oldest son and his family. She was always excited to attend sporting
events, high school and college graduation ceremonies for her children, many grandchildren and was
always the first to arrive at any family event. Preceding Ruth in her death were her parents Evelyn and
Floyd. Ruth is survived by her husband William A. Holesworth of Kennewick, three sons, Gary (Sandra)
Stephens of Lewiston, Idaho, Randall (Vicki) Stephens of Richland, Scott (Sara) Stephens of Kennewick,
one daughter, Vicky (Rich) Lemos of West Richland and stepchildren Sherri (Kevin) Schwartz of
Kennewick, Terri Thompson of Kennewick, William B. (Tammy) Holesworth of Kennewick. She had
twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In a letter to her children, she said “Do not weep for
me. I will be with my Mother and Father, as some day you will be with me”. She will be greatly missed
by all who knew her and forever in our hearts”.

Funeral services will be held at Einan’s at Sunset on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 12:00pm. A viewing is
scheduled for 10am-noon. A celebration of life will follow the graveside interment at Sunset Gardens.