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Assisting the Montana communities of Helena, East Helena, Townsend, White Sulphur Springs, Montana City, Clancy & Lincoln

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In Memory Of

Ruth H. Jones, age 85, of Helena, MT, formerly of Seattle, WA

Ruth H. Jones

March 22, 1936 – October 20, 2021

During the evening of October 20, 2021, Ruth was surrounded by her family when she passed away at St. Peters Hospital. Ruth was 85 years old.

Ruth was born in Helena, MT on March 22, 1936 to Ross and Alice Henry. She was the second child of a family of four children. Ruth attended school in Helena and graduated with the class of 1954. Ruth married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, William “Bill” H. Jones, on June 16, 1956. Upon Bill’s graduation from MSU, they relocated to the Seattle area where he pursued a successful career with the Boeing Company. Ruth completed her college education at the University of Washington in 1972, obtaining a teaching certificate with a degree in psychology. In addition to her successful teaching career, Ruth volunteered her time teaching anger management skills to inmates at a correctional facility. Ruth was a devoted teacher who touched many lives, and she would often run into her former students who would thank her for the care and help that she had given them. In December of 2019, Ruth and Bill returned to live in their hometown of Helena, MT. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, with many of their high school classmates in attendance.

Ruth was very proud of her relationship with the love of her life, Bill Jones. It is important to note that Ruth knew she was blessed to have shared in this rare and special relationship. They met each other in elementary school, grew up together in old Helena, completed their schooling together, got married, had four children, traveled together, worked through their careers, and eventually retired together. This is when they decided to return to their roots and moved back to Helena. For all of us, watching Ruth and Bill take this journey together has been a blessing. This kind of love is rare, special, and lives on in her loved ones.

Ruth’s gift of unconditional love was shared, not only with Bill, but on a daily basis with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends. She frequently studied those around her carefully, checking on their welfare, and she was prepared to act promptly in order to help. She was a caring and compassionate person and is loved by many people. So many of us have been blessed to have known her.

Ruth lived a life filled with passion and pride. She was extremely proud of her family and her extensive family heritage. She often passed on family history, and you could see her smile as she shared stories of loved ones and friends. She would especially beam when talking about her children and grandchildren. She just loved it when anyone asked about how they were doing.

Her passion for life was abundantly evident in her stories about her travels, her classroom teaching, her love of music, and lifelong playing of the violin. She just loved going to the beach and flying a kite. For many years she went snowmobiling high in the Cascade Mountains. She would tell fun stories of the RV resort and how they always looked forward to staying at the lake. She was a talented photographer and gardener. She loved just getting out there, meeting people, learning new things, and appreciating it all. She was fun to be around and often challenged you if you were not living life to its fullest.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Ross and Alice Henry, sister Ellen Garrity, and brother Thomas Henry.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Jones; sister Alice (David) Drewelow; her children Donald Jones (Alex), David Jones, Raymond Jones (Wavalie), and Judy Harum (Jeffrey); her grandchildren, Kedor Harum, Taylor Jones, Chisa Williams, and the twins Ashley Brahs and Raquel Moule, Zackary Jones, Jessica Jones, Neim Engel, and Travis Jones; her numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 6th at Kent United Methodist Church, 11010 SE 248th St. Kent, WA 98030. A second memorial service will be held in Helena at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 535 N. Ewing St. Helena, MT 59601 and interment at Forestvale Cemetery, 490 Forestvale Rd. Helena, Mt 59602 on November 13th.

Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Ruth.

In Lieu of flowers please send memorial gifts to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, or a donor’s choice. https://secure.mymsaa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=8737&mfc_pref=T&8737.donation=form1&tributetype=memory&s_subsrc=bing_sitelink&msclkid=bdc00452e5141ea62184652aaebb06fd&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5BBF%20RED%5D%20Updated%20Branded%20Campaign&utm_term=multiple%20sclerosis%20association%20of%20america&utm_content=Top%20Branded%20Terms

 

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

Saturday November 6, 2021

Kent United Methodist Church

11010 SE 248th St

Kent, Washington 98030

View map

Memorial Service

1:00 p.m.

Saturday November 13, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

535 N Ewing St

Helena, Montana 59601

View map

Interment

Saturday November 13, 2021

Forestvale Cemetery

490 Forestvale Rd

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

Saturday November 6, 2021

Kent United Methodist Church

11010 SE 248th St

Kent, Washington 98030

View map

Memorial Service

1:00 p.m.

Saturday November 13, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

535 N Ewing St

Helena, Montana 59601

View map

Interment

Saturday November 13, 2021

Forestvale Cemetery

490 Forestvale Rd

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Arlyn and Pearle Plowman says

    October 22, 2021 at 6:55 pm

    Our sincere condolences to Bill and all the family. Ruth was a lovely person and will be missed…especially at First Presbyterian in Helena

  2. Rita Tenneson says

    October 23, 2021 at 1:37 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing. She has been on my mind for weeks and I meant to call. Please accept my apologies and condolences. She was so thoughtful and a good friend. I am so blessed to be able to have shared the extremely short time with her and with you, Bill, since you moved back to Helena. I will treasure that time always. Rita Tenneson

  3. Kelli shaw says

    October 24, 2021 at 10:42 pm

    Sending love & prayers to the family at this time in your lives. I will always cherish the memories i have of Ruth.
    Big hugs to all.
    Love, kelli shaw

  4. John & Carol Gneckow says

    November 11, 2021 at 12:14 pm

    Condolences to Bill and the family. She will be missed at First Presbyterian Church Helena as well as her music contributions to worship service.

  5. Lynell Caudillo says

    November 11, 2021 at 11:10 pm

    Ruth and Bill were charter members of Marcus Whitman Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, WA. They were very active there and served the Lord and the church/community for many years, in lots of ways. Ruth always played Silent Night at the Candlelight Christmas Eve service, among many others occasions when she shared her various gifts.
    She loved the Lord, and all of us. We are grateful for her life, her faith, and her example.
    Holding Bill and all the family in prayer at this time of loss and grief. May the Lord bring you peace and comfort.
    Pastors Lynell and Rob Caudillo

  6. Wendy Layton says

    November 13, 2021 at 6:01 pm

    My thoughts go out to the family at the passing of this wonderful lady. She was a true warrior with the way she faced life and any challenges. I have great respect for her. I am lucky enough to be best friends with her only daughter and let me tell you she is a force of nature. I am certain she got this drive from Ruth and Bill. I wish the family the best during this trying time.

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Service Schedule

Memorial Service

Saturday November 6, 2021

Kent United Methodist Church

11010 SE 248th St

Kent, Washington 98030

View map

Memorial Service

1:00 p.m.

Saturday November 13, 2021

First Presbyterian Church

535 N Ewing St

Helena, Montana 59601

View map

Interment

Saturday November 13, 2021

Forestvale Cemetery

490 Forestvale Rd

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Share

Share this! Tweet this! Email this!

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.

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