Geraldine Beatrice Ruddy
March 9, 1924 - November 14, 2023
Obituary
March 9, 1924 – November 14, 2023
Geraldine Beatrice Ruddy, better known as Jerry, was born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota on March 9, 1924 to George and Pauline (Brende) Riswold. She passed away at home on November 14, 2023, just four months shy of her 100th birthday. Jerry spent her earliest years growing up among a large extended family on the Riswold Family Homestead farm in the small town of Baltic, South Dakota, spending her days enjoying time with grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, along with her own parents. Her brother Paul joined the family in 1928. Later her family moved to their own nearby home and farm.
Upon graduation from Baltic High School, Jerry moved to Seattle to help care for her young cousin, Rose Ann Jacobson, while also attending the University of Washington, studying journalism. She married her husband, Owen Ruddy, a Pearl Harbor survivor, on September 29, 1946. They purchased the family home in the Wedgwood area in 1955 and raised their three children in that closely knit neighborhood filled with children and friends. Jerry was actively social and she enjoyed belonging to various groups, including Ryther and Children’s Orthopedic guilds, bridge groups, PTA, and Beta Sigma Phi, of which she was a long time and active member. The family joined Maple Leaf Lutheran Church in 1955, where Jerry volunteered in the quilting group until just a few years ago. She also volunteered at the Alzheimer’s Association for many years following Owen’s passing.
Jerry worked as a homemaker for many years, and once her children were older and in school, she worked first in a seasonal position at H&R Block, then in the ticket office at Sand Point Naval Base and later she was hired in the City of Seattle Department of Licensing, a position from which she eventually retired. Owen and Jerry traveled to many places in the world, which included opportunities with Owen’s job, events with the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, and after retirement, trips to China, Germany, Ireland, England and more. Jerry continued to enjoy international travel after Owen’s death in 2001, joining tour groups and cruises, and visiting her granddaughter while she was studying in Rome.
In 2015 Jerry sold the family home and moved to a retirement community, Aljoya Thornton Place, where she lived independently until her passing. She thrived in that environment, making many friends, participating in the various activities and events offered there, and especially enjoying watercolor classes. While never one to have confidence in her creative abilities, Jerry was noticed by her instructor and other residents as a talented watercolor artist. For many years Jerry wrote Christmas poems in lieu of cards, mentioning family activities and always highlighting her three children, their spouses and her four grandchildren, of whom she was very proud. Upon joining the community at Aljoya, Jerry put her talents in poetry to use, writing many clever, fact filled poems for residents and staff who might be celebrating a significant event, such as a birthday, retirement, job change or baby arrival. She was also noted for always cleverly decorating the shelf outside her door to celebrate each month. Jerry was well known for her quick wit and ever-present sense of humor, which stayed with her until the very end. Our pastor visited with her just two days prior to her passing, remarking that “Jerry is as sharp as a tack!”
Jerry is survived by her three children, Randina (Ron) Gangnes, Reed (Sharon) Ruddy, Derek (Lisa Clinton) Ruddy, her grand children, Chani (Chris Roberson) Gangnes, Kamiana Gangnes, Kirsten Ruddy, Derek (Jennifer) Ruddy and her four great grandchildren, Coen & Cleona Roberson and Belén Ortiz-Clements & Adam Ruddy. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Alzheimer’s Association would be greatly appreciated. Memorials will be held after the holidays.