Ruth Virginia Stadshaug
Port Townsend, Wash.
April 16, 1920 – Jan. 18, 2017
Ruth Virginia (Gaylord) Stadshaug, 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 in her home at Seaport Landing, Port Townsend, Wash. She was born April 16, 1920, to Douglas E. Gaylord & Nell B. (Amos) Gaylord in Great Falls, Montana. Ruth graduated from high school in 1938 in Clarkston, Wash., attended business school in Spokane for 2 years and worked as a secretary during the Second World War at the Army Air Base located in Walla Walla, Wash.
She married Harold J. Stadshaug on June 22, 1946, in Portland Ore. Ruth and Harold’s journey together took them to Seattle, Spokane, Moses Lake, Yakima and finally Port Townsend. They raised a family, were successful in business, and volunteered in the community over the years. She guided many young women into adulthood as a popular Girl Scout leader. Ruth was a loving, supportive wife and a very patient, loving mother to her three children.
Ruth loved to read throughout her long life. She shared that love of books with her family, spending hours reading to each of them from their earliest days, nurturing in them their own love of reading. Ruth cherished the many friendships she developed socializing with her neighbors and playing bridge in the Port Townsend community. Ruth’s loving wit, warm heart and generous nature will be missed by all that knew her.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Harold. She is survived by her two sons; Harold Stadshaug Jr. and his wife Terry of Yakima, Wash., Gaylord Stadshaug and his partner Robin Gaffney of Hana, Hawaii, and her daughter Mardee Stadshaug and her husband Jim Prince of Port Townsend, Wash. She is survived by her grandchildren Amy Murray and husband Kinnan, Andrew Prince & Bruce Hinote as well as several great and great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service has not been scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, remembrances are suggested to a charity of your choice.
