Ruth Day Hamby passed away in Kirkland on Feb. 16. She was 106 years old.
She was born to Emma and Alonzo Day in Earlington, Ky. on Oct. 20, 1906. She graduated from Earlington High School and married Earl Hamby, also from Earlington, in 1927. Ruth and her husband moved to Vancouver, Wash. in 1941, following Earl’s oldest brother who got him a job at the Kaiser shipyards.
Earl continued working for Kaiser during WWII, and Ruth helped christen one of the naval war ships that was built there. In 1946, when Ruth was 40 years old, her only child, Jack, was born. In 1952, Ruth began working for the Vancouver School District and enjoyed a 20 year career there before her retirement in 1972.
Throughout her life, Ruth was an enthusiastic participant in many bridge groups and women’s organizations and was a 50-year member of the Vancouver First Presbyterian Church. She always enjoyed walking, gardening, antiquing (she was addicted to garage sales), and cooking. Ruth’s excellence in the kitchen was renowned in Vancouver, and Jack’s friends always wanted an invitation to his house for dinner. They especially loved her pies.
Ruth enjoyed being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She resided for the past 10 years at Kirkland Emeritus, where she enjoyed being near to her family, socializing at the happy hours, playing Bingo with her friends, and for many years, reigning as the super champion of the spelling bees. She was also well known for how beautifully she dressed.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; brother, Delmer Day; and sister, Ruby Maloney.
She is survived by son Jack (Carolyn), grandson Ian (Crystal), granddaughter Colleen, great granddaughters Crimson and Jordyn, sister Sybil Priest and her loving siblings’ children and relations.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church (Chapel), Vancouver, Wash. at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 8 at Kirkland Emeritus in Kirkland.
She is interred at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Vancouver.
