What a blessing it is to have grown up with Ruth VanBelle as my grandma. Some of my most treasured childhood memories have her in them. I loved all the time spent in her garden, creating meals together, and baking cookies in her kitchen. She always had cookies in her cookie jar for her grandkids and candy for the “good little boys and girls”.  Grandma seemed to have endless compassion and hospitality she welcomed everyone with open arms and listened to others with such sincerity.
Grandma had many grandkids but she made time for each of us especially for our birthday lunch. It was something I looked forward to every year. 
She came to my soccer games, piano recitals, school and 4-H events, graduations, wedding dress fittings, and would always call randomly to check in. 
In each of these memories I can vividly remember her smile and the JOY she had wherever she went. Her love for her family and for the Lord was evident. 
I can remember a time when she was riding in the car with me after I had just gotten my drivers license and I was pulled over for a broken headlight. I remember being so scared and she was uncontrollably laughing while I talked to the police officer and had an irrational panic attack about my parents being mad. This is how I remember grandma facing everything in life, a smile on her face and joy in her heart.
I miss you grandma and our conversations. Thank you for being such an example of a godly loving wife, mother, grandma, and friend. I hope I can grow up to be like you. I can’t wait to hug you in heaven and see your joyful smile again! 

 Anyone that was acquainted with mom knew that she had a joy and love of life that was contagious when you were with her.I want to share a few things that mom loved and taught me to love over the years.Mom was a hard energetic worker,whether it was working with her parents at the farmers market when she was young,making deliveries for the chicken farm that her and dad had,cleaning houses or caring for babies,she choose to make her work fun.She enjoyed getting to know people and gained the trust and friendship of those she worked with and for.When wasn’t working she would volunteer.Mom and dad both were very generous with their time and resources,they accepted and opened their home to foster kids,elderly,travelers,college and exchange students and many others in need.Mom volunteered for the USO during World War II, at her church,the Welcome Wagon and for Valley Hospital.Holidays and birthdays were always a special.The large open basement served as a wonderful place to gather with family and friends.Mom had a servant’s heart and loved to serve and entertain.Mom loved to travel and take adventures.Many days were spent in the camper when I was growing up spending summer weekends camping,hiking,and picking huckleberries.We even traveled on month long trips to Florida and  to Washington D.C.enjoying the sites along the way. Mom enjoyed a European tour with a friend in 1990.For her 80th birthday she had a hot air balloon ride over the Valley.Mom was a strong fighter.She survived cancer,the loss of loved ones through the years and losing her home and most of her earthly possessions to a fire. In all of this she chose JOY.She chose to be joyful in the many trials that she endured proving that she had a faith and trust in the Lord in ALL things. Most of all mom loved her family and the Lord. She exemplified this in the way she lived her life. I am thankful and blessed to have had the parents, upbringing and wonderful examples of living a full and joyful life,well lived.

I have so many lovely memories of being with Grandma. She had a way of making you feel special. I remember her taking me out to lunch every year on my birthday and what fun times we had together. She was just someone that everyone loved to be around. Her joy and zest for life emanated to those around her. I have learned many things through Grandma's example. How to be patient and endure, how to forgive, how to practice acceptance, love and charity, how to live life to the fullest. She will be greatly missed! I draw comfort in knowing that I will see her in Heaven again one day. 

I remember Grandma taking me shopping and out to lunch for every birthday.  She always made me feel special.  Even into adulthood she remembered and called me on my birthday.  She still teased about how many spanks I was getting that year.  I remember her laughing.  Always laughing.  Riding in the car with her she would squeeze my leg right above my knee. It always tickled, made me jump, laugh.  She said if I laughed it meant that I was boy crazy, so she would tease me about being boy crazy.  
I have so many memories playing at her house.  Hunting Easter eggs, opening Christmas presents, bonding with cousins, feeling loved by Grandma.  She was always, always full of fun and laughter.  I remember some of her sayings “Oh Joy!” “We’re off like a herd of turtles” so many others.  One of last times I was with her was at a family get together in Spokane in 2018. I asked her what advice she would give to me or anyone.  She said, “I think being happy is an important part of your life.  I really do.  I have always been happy.”  
I love you Grandma! I strive to follow your example and choose joy!

A Mother-in-Law for All Seasons
Mom was always there for us, always full of love, charity and a little mischief.  I learned from her what it means to be "shivereed" when Kathi (Kathleen) and I returned to Seattle from our honey moon.  A tradition that taught her children how to deal with marriage conflicts right from the outset!  Us sons and daughters in law learned the value of a humble sense of humor.   
She was there for births and birthdays, for wonderful holiday meals and all that she did to make our yearly Camp White reunions into memories that last a life time.  "Ah-Tah-Pot-Tah-Lee-Ah" was the closest she came to scolding herself or her grandchildren.  
She was there with me by the bed side of Kathi the day that she died after her battle with cancer.  She was there for me when I remarried with Linda and her five children.  She never communicated anything but love and appreciation for me during the years to follow.  With Kathi she had six grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.  With Linda she inherited 5 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.  Linda and the kids always looked to her as mother-in-law and grandma.
I was fortunate to spend some time alone with mom on memorial day, 2019.  Linda was in Denver helping with the birth of a new great grandchild, mom was available so we drove to the grave sites in the Pines Cemetery and Greenwood Memorial.  We talked about her life and our lives together sharing memories of Papa and Kathi.  We enjoyed a quiet moment at Kathi's site looking over the beautiful surroundings there.  "Kathi lived a wonderful life, didn't she", she said to me.  
"Yes she did", I said.  "Mom, do you believe you will see Kathi when you pass on?"
"Yes", she said without hesitation.  It is upon this joyful reunion that I like meditate.  


My entire life as a kid was always filled with life and times of Ruth and Albert Van Belle.  How lucky were we to have such lovely mentors leading us and teaching us all those many years.  All of these relationships are so fondly remembered by many from the West Valley district and Millwood Presbyterian church.  What lovely people were the two of them, giving not only of themselves and family members but all the hours spent with helping to shape our young lives.  Influences that made many of us just really nice people in this world.  Be it trips to lakes, trips to parks, trips to church functions,  trips to Mtn Spokane  to Mitchum's barn  for whatever the event.  We always knew these two were overseeing the good, sometimes the bad and always right there for our own sake and the rest of the groups. 
What a cherished memories we have from both of them leading by example.  Life is good because they were part of so many of our friends and families.   It is a good thing to have 
known them all these years and sweet smiles all around for all the Van Belle HERD....
Sincerely, Gwyneth Jones Cadwell & family, Bryn and Diane too. 

The Van Belle's were such a big part of my life when I was growing up.  I lived a country street above them on Shannon.  I was friends with her children. I loved going to her house. It was happy times. 
  I rode their horse Shaboom on fun Saturdays. Many great times out at Camp White with  Ruth ( Mrs Van Belle to us) being both Chaperone  and Cook,  What joy she brought to any situation. 
 Bless you and I know you will rest in peace.
Much Love,
Meegan McCathren

I can remember 4th of July celebrations out at our house at Diamond Lake.  I always was looking for the pickup and the camper.  Uncle Perrion was with them.  I thought the camper was so cool.  I can remember Uncle Dale yelling across the yard "Quigy".  I can hear her laugh and it was so contagious.  I felt blessed to have her in my family.  Will miss her tremendously.   

We met Ruth at Otis Orchards Community Church around 1994.  She was such a spunky, positive, and  classy lady.  We saw her just about every Sunday until she moved to Holman Gardens.  We appreciated her positive attitude and her gift of hospitality.   She is now reaping her heavenly reward.    

OBITUARY

Ruth Gertrude Van Belle

October 23, 1922 – April 27, 2020

Thornhill Valley Chapel

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