Patricia Claudine Ruff

Patricia Claudine Ruff, "Pat," often known as Mama Pat, Gramma Pat, or Gramma Great passed away at her home in Quincy on Saturday, August 3, 2013 surrounded by her family. She lived in East Wenatchee for 38 years. She was born on May 26, 1931 in Fullerton, CA to the late Herbert and Vida (Holly) Patterson. She took her first trip to the beaches of southern California as a baby in a wicker laundry basket, beginning her lifelong love of the ocean beaches. She attended elementary school, Jr. high and high school in Fullerton, graduating from Fullerton High School and attending Fullerton Jr. College, focusing on the arts and drama. At this time, she went to work in the box office of the local movie theater, where she caught the eye of Simon "Pete" Ruff. He drove by her box office regularly for one year, telling others' he had found "the one for him." He eventually found the courage to ask her for a date; they dated for 3 long weeks before running off to Las Vegas to get married. At the last minute they invited her parents along and were married at the local Methodist church in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 15, 1951. Pete and Patty made their first home together in Brea, CA, where they remained until moving to Orangevale, CA, near Sacramento in 1958. In the fall of 1965, she reluctantly moved to East Wenatchee, WA following Pete's job opportunity; finally retiring to the Quincy area in 2005 to live near their oldest daughter. Pat viewed her most important job as being wife, homemaker and mother. She loved God and was the fierce prayer warrior for her family and many others. Over the years, she worked in various jobs part-time, in order to buy prom dresses, baseball gear, or various other extras for the family. She was an ever willing volunteer at the school for vaccinations, eye checks, voting needs, the school library and worked for a time supervising playground activities. Pete and Pat shared a love of music, enjoying both ballroom and square dancing over the years. In the early years the entire family would put on music and all dance together in the living room, including the family dog. She was ever present and involved in church activities following the children to Bethesda in the 1970s. Both she and Pete accompanied the Bethesda singers in the fall of 1976 to Europe, Germany, Israel and the Middle East. Pat was the consummate, caring assistant, helping behind stage, dressing, doing make-up, providing a shoulder for crying or simply listening, which was her specialty. She was not just a mother to her own children but was known as "Momma Pat," to their friends, as well any other strays in need of a mother. She and Pete had an "open door" policy for ministry to kids and those needing a place during the holiday season. She listened at length and prayed with and for many others over the years. She was soft spoken, light hearted, fun and fiercely protective of her children and grandchildren. She was known to occasionally drive a group of young girls in her Powder Blue Camaro, cruising the avenue during Apple Blossom. She looked too young to be the mama, but was "mighty" enough to keep everyone safe. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church, most recently, Eastmont Community, East Wenatchee, a former longtime member of Trinity Methodist Church and Bethesda Church. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Pete Ruff, Quincy; three children and their spouses, Julee (Bob) Lenderman, Quincy, Janice (Bob) Lynch, Clackamas, OR, Jeffrey "Jeff" (Christie) Ruff, Leavenworth; sisters Louree McIntyre, Olympia, WA, Joyce (Richard) Sparks, Bellevue; ten grandchildren; Joel Duncan, Wenatchee, Titus (Stephanie) Duncan, Wenatchee, Peter (Cynthia) Duncan, Battle Ground, WA, Drew (Danielle Flones) Duncan, Wenatchee, Phillip (Teena Anderson) Jacks, Portland, OR, Patrick (Rebekah) Jacks, Yorktown, IN, Amanda (Peter) Griffith, Oregon City, OR, Rachelle Ruff, Peshastin, WA, Nicholas (Natasha Johnson) Ruff, Bellingham, WA, Vanessa Ruff, Leavenworth; eight great grandchildren, Lucas "Luke" Duncan, Lana Duncan, Landon Duncan, of Wenatchee, Kassidy Jacks, Devin Jacks and Teeaunna Anderson of Portland, OR, Destiny Griffith and Azaiah Griffith of Oregon City, OR. She was preceded in death by her parents. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 2:00pm at the Eastmont Community Church in East Wenatchee, with Pastor Bob Lenderman officiating. Family and friends are invited to view her tribute online at: www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Patricia Claudine Ruff

May 26, 1931 - August 3, 2013