Ruth Yeomans Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dear Mom, There are so many things in my life that have been influenced by you: rules of behavior, how to be a friend, uncompromising love. It’s funny, but if someone had asked me two days ago who had affected my character the most, I’m not certain I would have been able to give a definitive answer. I hadn’t ever thought much about the question. And then last night at 3:42, I awoke from an odd dream, and couldn’t get back to sleep. As I lay there listening to the soft breathing of my husband and the ticking of the clock, in the darkness of the night, I found clarity and I knew. But, I didn’t write anything down. All of my great words about how you had raised me and loved me had vanished with the dawn. And so, I begin again, because it’s important to get it in writing. A lifetime of character building in one letter. I shall put this in the baby book you made for me. When future generations want to know about me, they will also get to know about you, the strong woman who has always been my defining role model. Your life was complicated. Your mother died when you were a budding sixteen-year-old, and your father before you were twenty. Many of the dreams they had for you were never going to be realized, and any hopes for a higher education vanished. You had strength of character and a fierce determination, however, and your intelligence was your weapon. Instead of going to college you found work in an office. The management immediately recognized your potential and crafted jobs that suited your quick mind, willingness to learn, and captivating spirit. Friends became family, and you nurtured each other. Because you had a thirst for the adventure of travel, you surrounded yourself with like minded people. Seeing the world outside of 1943, downtown Los Angeles had you traveling with your dear friend, by bus with camping gear packed, to the local mountains. Never mind that neither of you had ever pitched a tent or cooked outside. Yosemite came next, and then in quick succession a cross country bus trip to New York, via Florida. The stories you have from those experiences fill volumes. Your trips to Mexico, Guadalajara, and Cuba in the 1940's had your sisters frantic with worry, but your fierce determination to witness the world kept you going. And then you met DAD. Proposing to him as a joke the night you met actually sealed your fate. He fell for you hard, and a year later you were married. It has been a lifetime of laughter, surprises, and sorrows. Sixty-three years later, he is still by your side. For that era, you were an older mom, having your first when you were thirty-four. That fact never, even dampened your enthusiasm for your babies, or slowed you down. Your four children leaned how to swim at young ages because you never had the opportunity. We didn’t have to eat unpleasant vegetables because you didn’t like them, and so we grew up loving avocados, artichokes, green beans, and broccoli. You didn’t enjoy cooking, and so the Betty Crocker Cookbook became my friend. Instead of having an immaculate house, you chose to play with us. Interesting, educational, and inventive adventures were part of our upbringing. You took us camping and exploring. Travel guides and magazines fed your mind, and when you had saved up enough money, off we would go, with or without Dad! Your intrepid spirit was contagious, and my three brothers and I have grown into unique, creative, caring individuals. We are independent thinkers because it was important for you to have children who could make up their own minds. There are some things on which I have not seen you waver. 1. Never go to bed angry. 2. Do not ever ask a lady her age. 3. You can catch more flies with honey. 4. Make your own mistakes, but I’ll be there to catch you when you fall. 5. Don’t follow your children as they become adults. They may keep moving away from you, and then where will you be? 6. Interfering creates resentment. 7. Be your own person, and always stand tall. 8. Get involved with your community, church, school. You get to know who’s who and what’s what. 9. Always do your best, wherever you go, and in whatever you do. 10. Always wait for it to go on sale. Mom, there is so much more I could write about, but I think this sums it up pretty well. You gave me the freedom to make choices, and I am very much my own person because of you. Thank you for always keeping your spirit and instilling that spunk in me. And, thank you, for your, faith in me that I will do what is right.

Tributes

Ruth Yeomans

October 14, 1923 - July 4, 2019