RUTH HARRISON RICHEY
Ruth Richey – a life-long musician and teacher with a quick mind and “ahead of her times” thinking – died Monday, May 30, at St. Peter’s Hospital after a short illness. She was 91.
Ruth was born July 12, 1919, in Deer Lodge, Montana, at the home of her parents, Ben and Alma Harrison. In addition to her mom and dad, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and her son-in-law, Ron Leland of Helena.
She is survived by her daughter, Barb Leland; three grandsons, Mark Leland and wife Linda Cleatus, Rob Leland and wife Eliesha Leland, and Scott Leland and wife Lisa Leland, all of Helena. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren: Tanaya, Ron, Kumari, and Jessie Leland of Helena. Her brother and sister-in-law, Ben and Bette Harrison of Clinton, Montana, also survive.
Ruth talked fondly about growing up in Deer Lodge – roller skating around town, swimming at the pool, chumming around with friends, driving her little brother “crazy” with her big-sister tortures. She graduated from Powell County High School, Valedictorian of her class, in 1936. After a year of working to earn money for school, Ruth entered Montana State University in Missoula (now, the University of Montana), as a Music Major. She was a member of Tri Delta Sorority, an organization she held dear all her life.
After graduating in 1941, she headed to Dillon for a year of teaching, followed by a summer trip to southern California. The big-city atmosphere caught her fancy and she called home, telling her mom to “send my clothes – I’m staying”. Shortly after arriving, she met Fred Richey on a blind date. Ruth and Fred were married three months later, on December 13, 1943.
Daughter, Barb, was born in 1947. During Barb’s growing-up years, Ruth spent time writing music, and had success with getting some songs published. She also was a substitute teacher.
In 1966, Ruth and Fred moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Ruth worked as a Program Director for an advertising agency, a job she truly loved.
Following their retirement, the couple moved to Missoula, Montana, and then on to Helena, to be near Barb and her family. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ruth was a volunteer for the Reading for the Blind program, recording books on tape. She volunteered for the Literacy Council, teaching adults to read; and also was a reading tutor in grade schools in the Helena area. She was a member of the Big Sky Singers for a short time, followed by several years as a Helena Sweet Adeline. She entered the Sweet Adeline Arrangers’ Program and won the Novice Arranger of the Year Award, with her arrangement of “Get Me To The Church On Time”.
Ruth’s mind remained quick and creative in her “old age”, even after breaking her hip during a vacation in Arizona two months ago. She was well enough by May 14th to be one of five Grizzly Alums honored at their 70th college reunion in Missoula.
Public viewing for family and friends will be 5:30 – 6:30pm on Thursday, June 2, at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Avenue. Services are scheduled at Covenant United Methodist Church, 2330 E. Broadway, Helena, 11 a.m. on Friday, June 3. Burial will follow at Forestvale Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Leland home, 640 Stadler Road. To offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Ruth, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
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Kathy Chambers says
Dear Barb and Family,
My prayers are with you.
I so enjoyed your mom when you brought her to Game Night at the church.
Praying your good memories will bring you comfort.
Kathy
Kay Mathews says
Dear Barb and family,
I was sorry to hear of your mother’s death. She was a delightful person. I remember her sense of humor and enthusiasm when I was in Sweet Adeline’s all those years ago. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathy,
Kay Mathews