Ruth Reed Dyke

Ruth was born on September 18, 1939, to Ruth Irene Reed and Richard Burt Dyke Sr. in Austin, Texas, where she was raised with her siblings Dickie, Lollie, and Susan. Lollie influenced her deep love and patronage of the arts and gardening. Ruth learned about business from her brother Dickie and shared a deep love of horses with her younger sister Susan.

Ruth’s grandmother, Laura Moses Reed, fostered Ruth’s love of traveling from a young age. Her cousins, Rita and Roberta, would often join them on their trips. Ruth would eventually take her own children and granddaughters on trips around the world.

Her beloved father, Richard Burt Dyke, taught journalism at the University of Texas. He was also a brilliant pianist, composer, and songwriter. Ruth, Lollie, and Susan’s daughter, Noelle, created a scholarship at the University of Texas in his honor.

Ruth moved to Houston, where she graduated from college. She married and had her beloved children, Richard and Susan Marie. After time in Houston and Arkansas, she settled in California, where she crafted a completely new life on her own.

In 1974, Ruth moved to San Francisco, Bay Area. Then to Gold County in Auburn, CA, to study and practice acupuncture and massage therapy. In June of 1982, Ruth became sober. She was very active in the 12-step programs and well respected in the recovery community. She spent years teaching the program and sharing her story in women’s prisons. She was the chairman of the AIDS Foundation in Auburn, CA. Ruth spent years fighting for social justice, political reform, and world peace.

In 1996, Ruth moved the family to the Foresthill Ranch. Ruth’s ranch became a haven not only for herself but also for her daughter, granddaughters, and a myriad of plants, animals, and birds. Here is where she took in countless rescue animals.

Ruth was an inspiration to everyone who met her. Her practicality never interfered with her ability to find joy in the most minute detail or grandeur in front of her. Her laugh was childlike with wonder, and she laughed often. She was a shining example of forgiveness, kindness, generosity, and selflessness.

Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Richard Lee Dyke; her sisters, Susan Reed Dyke Paulette and Laura Reed Dyke Jackson; and her brother, Richard Burt Dyke Jr.; her parents, Ruth Irene Reed and Richard Burt Dyke Sr.; and her grandparents, Laura Moses and Dave Reed.

Ruth is survived by a lineage of strong women.

Her beloved daughter Susan Marie Levinson and husband, Craig William Levinson, her granddaughters Jessica Joan Kapnison and husband Nicholas P. Kapnison II, Heather Ruth Levinson, her fiancé Luca Izzo, their daughter, Luna Caterina Izzo, Sierra Sky Blue, her daughter Sophia Marie Perez, and partner Daniel Humphries.

Nieces Laura Hamman Fain, Elizabeth Hamman Reed Oliver, her husband Morgan Dene Oliver and their daughters Isabelle Hamman Oliver and Emma Lenoir Oliver, Noelle Eos Subois Paulette and her daughter Peyton Elena Sgouta Paulette, and Noelle’s partner Michael Pearce.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 21st, at Weed Corley Fish Chapel at 1:30 PM at 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731. A celebration in Ruth’s honor will be held at Humanities Texas at 4 p.m. Please join us and wear light colors.

In lieu of flowers, Ruth’s daughter and granddaughters request donations be made in Ruth’s honor to: ASPCA or The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society