RUTH PARKER PERKINS

Ruth passed away on July 22, 2018, at Guardian Angel Homes in Richland; 58 days shy of her 100^th birthday.   Ruth and her twin sister Rachel were born in Farmington Maine on 9/18/1918, to Ivory H. Parker and Florence Trask Parker.  They had four older siblings and a younger sister.  She was fortunate to grow up surrounded by a large extended family.  Ruth had many fond memories going on adventures with her father who instilled in her a love of nature.  Family visits to the Maine coast started a lifelong love of the ocean. 

After high school she attended Farmington State Normal School.  She married Francis (Fred) Owen Perkins on November 30^th, 1939.  Fred taught flying and after the war broke out he trained pilots for the Army.  They moved frequently with that job, primarily in the Midwest. They eventually returned to Maine where Ruth worked as a welder at the Bath Iron Works, helping launch one new ship every 17 days.  She had to leave that job once she became pregnant with her first child. 

Son, John, was born in Nov. 1944, followed by daughter, Marion in Jan. 1947.  In 1948, they followed Ruth’s brother Phil Parker and his family to Richland, and Fred went to work at Hanford.  They moved into a house near the Parkers, and the families shared many fun times together.  Fred and Ruth opened their home to Harriet Moore, a teenager Fred met through the Civil Air Patrol, and she lived with the family while she finished high school. 

Ruth went to work at Uptown Thrifty is the early 60’s.  She most liked working in the Postal Substation.  She bowled, enjoyed playing golf and hunting for agates.  Priest Lake in Idaho was a favorite family destination for many summers. After Fred died in 1977 she was fortunate to travel to Europe once and then to Hawaii with friends.   She enjoyed trips to the Oregon Coast, first with John and his family and later with niece Laura and then the Rambling Rovers. 

She often said the most valuable card in her wallet was her library card and she looked forward to her weekly trips to the Richland library for a new stack of mysteries. She also put in over 3000 hours with the Kadlec Auxiliary.  Her favorite activity, however, was playing cards with friends and she did this up until the time she moved into Guardian Angel in 2014.  Bridge and Pinochle were her favorites. She taught her three grandkids to play cribbage and played simple card games with her great granddaughters when they were young. 

Ruth lived in her house on Wilson for over sixty years.  She was blessed with many good neighbors in that time, most recently Albert Vargas who was always willing to help out, or just stop in to chat.  Ruth was close to her brother’s children and they were good to her as she grew older.  Her niece Laura was especially close the last few years, helping Ruth and taking her on fun outings around town.  Ruth outlived her six siblings by many years, but when her twin sister Rachel’s son Parker Driscoll found out she was still living, he came out from Rhode Island to see her last summer. 

Ruth is survived by her son John Owen Perkins (Marilyn) of Kennewick and daughter Marion Diehl-Gire (Bill) of Spokane Valley; grandchildren, Erin Kleiber (Dave), Kara Perkins and Doug Perkins; twin great granddaughters, Anna and Madison Kleiber; niece Laura Parker Ryan and several other nieces and nephews and their children.

Ten years ago, she said she did not want a funeral, but a ninetieth birthday party.  At that time many family members, friends and neighbors joined her for a celebration at the Richland Community Center.  When asked how she was doing, a frequent reply would be “I haven’t killed anyone”.  As far as we know that was true.  Ruth and her family were very appreciative of the caregivers and staff at Guardian Angel for their kind and compassionate care.  The family also much appreciates the support and care from Chaplaincy Hospice Care. 

If anyone would care to make a donation in Ruth’s name, the family suggests Meals on Wheels or the Chaplaincy, both of which Ruth benefited from in her later years.