Ruth passed away peacefully on June 15th, 2013, age 94, at the Carmel Valley Guest Home, Assisted Living, in Carmel Valley, CA, where she had resided for the past two years. She enjoyed the beautiful gardens there with roses, wildflowers, trees and mountains to look at. She was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts , May 31, 1919 to Austin Clayton and Florence Helen (Messer) Phelps. Growing up on a farm with eight brothers and two sisters gave Ruth a love of nature and she had wonderful memories of adventures and stories. She graduated from Northfield High School in 1937, attended Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Training School, Vermont and received her nursing degree, graduating in 1941.
She married Albert Leon Cembalisty May 17,1941 and gave birth to James Lee in 1944. Tragically, Albert was lost at sea February 5, 1945 during WW II. She later married Leroy Kelsey Patnode, adding his daughter Dianne Kelsey to the family. Daughter Joanne Ruth was born in 1953 and daughter Rosanne Caron in 1955.
Living in California, Ruth worked as a Registered Nurse in Salinas Memorial Hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, private duty work and then owned and operated an Assisted Living Home in Del Rey Oaks “New Horizon's” for twelve years. After retiring from professional life Ruth lived at Pacific Meadows Retirement Apartments in Carmel and enjoyed planting and tending her lovely garden where she lived for twenty two years. The beautiful cherry tree that she lovingly nurtured and cared for still stands.
Religion played a strong role in Ruth’s life, she was deeply dedicated to the teachings of Christ. Ruth played the piano and organ and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Creativity and a love of crafts and ceramics enriched her life and others. She enjoyed putting together books and albums about her life and each of her many patients. She liked to bake her own favorite bread, pumpkin pie, fudge, cookies and peanut brittle, often giving some to friends and family.
She was loved by many for her sweet soul and giving ways, her spirit soars now with the angels in God’s loving hands.
She was predeceased by her father Austin and mother Florence, brothers Frank, Richard, John, Raymond, Charles, and Stanley, and a sister, Dorothy.
She is survived by her two brothers George (Rita) Phelps of Nevada, Robert ( Bette) Phelps of Massachusetts and one sister Elizabeth Phelps Bolton of Massachusetts. Also her children James (and Cynthia) of California, Dianne (and Larry) of Virginia, Joanne (and James) of California, Rosanne ( and William) of Montana. Grandchildren, Frederick (Ilona) of Virginia, Aaron (and Nicole) of Oregon, Jena (and Jason) of California, Ryan (and Lisa) of Washington and Amelia of California. Great-grandchildren, Tobias, Jeffery, Nathan, Violet and Alice. Also many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Carmel Presbyterian Church, Carmel CA.
Donations can be sent in her honor to VNA Hospice, 45 Plaza Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 or Carmel Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 846, Carmel, CA 93921.
Her ashes will be scattered at sea in a family ceremony at a later date.
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