Ruth Marie Ghormley

Passed peacefully into eternal life on November 1, 2022, at the age of 97. She was born February 3rd, 1925 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA to wonderful parents, Emanuel Hanson and Ellen Augusta Granquist.

Ruthie was a native Seattlelite, graduating from Queen Anne High School in 1942. She attended the University of WA and obtained her BS degree from the School of Pharmacy and met her beloved husband, Willard Howard Ghormley, who was seated next to her alphabetically by last name. Willard left UW to serve in the Army Air Corps during WWII and immediately upon his return in 1945 pursued Ruthie, they married on June 18, 1949. She started working at Brown’s Bi-Rite Drug in Greenwood followed by Swedish Hospital, Alm’s Drug for 25 years, owned a pharmacy in Tacoma for 8 years; it was inside the B & I Shopping Center where Ivan the gorilla lived. She also worked for the King County Department of Assessments, four ten-hour days and on the weekends at Hilltop Drug, this is where she was held up for narcotics. Finished her career working for Safeway in their pharmacy retiring at the age of 82 after working in the field for 50+ years.

Ruth was a woman who wore many hats and had many talents. She shared her lifelong passion for arts and crafts, sewing, gardening and baking. Being her daughter Jills’ Campfire leader from Bluebirds all the way through high school, those girls were very lucky having Ruthie as their leader sharing her joy in making all kinds of crafts with the girls. In 2009 Ruthie was presented the honor of Gardner of the Year by the WA State Federation of Garden Clubs belonging to North End Flower Club, Briarcliff Garden Club, Designers Guild and Seattle Civic. She was active for years at Queen Anne Lutheran Church, Queen Anne HS Alumni Association and later in life at the Ballard Senior Center.

Ruth is survived by her sister Jean McLauchlan; two daughters Jill Ellen and Sally Marie. Jill is married to Mark Rueber, they have two children Adam and Emily married to Jia Wern. Sally has two children Jonathan Villaluz married to Vanessa and Anne Marie married to Luke Wyman; along with many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Best lifelong friends since 1st and 2nd grade were Ardelle, Lillian, Margarete (Polly) and Reidun (Ri).

Your family and friends love you and will miss you always, go in peace.

Viewing is November 12, 2022, 12 – 5 p.m. at Evergreen Washelli. Service will be held on November 13, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Queen Anne Lutheran Church 2400 8th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119, followed by a graveside service & reception at Evergreen Washelli.

The family suggests remembrances be given to Queen Anne Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.