Ruth Ann Chambers

Longtime Key Peninsula resident Ruth Chambers, 85, died June 25. She was born March 1, 1934, in Yankton, South Dakota, to Roy and Anna Walling. She had three siblings: Madaline, Paul and Jeanie.

Ruth grew up in the home built by her grandfather, and attended school and graduated with honors from Yankton High School. She married her first husband in 1952 and had four children. They moved to Seattle in the late ’50s, then on to Renton.

After divorcing, Ruth worked at several jobs including at the local library, in retail sales and as a bookkeeper for an oil company.

In 1976, Ruth married the love of her life, country singer Ron Chambers. They enjoyed many wonderful years together, playing guitars and singing, oil painting, writing stories and gardening. Ron and Ruth moved to the Key Peninsula in 1980. The couple spent their first three years living in Longbranch at the Faraway estate, where they worked as groundskeepers, a time they would both say was one of the happiest in their lives.

In 1983, they purchased property near Key Center and made their home there, living peaceful lives, gardening and entertaining friends from their community and family.

Ron died in 1993 and Ruth remained in her beloved home. She welcomed her four children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren over the years. She cherished her family and was loved very dearly.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, sister Madaline, brother Paul, husband Ron, and daughters Cindy and Jannie.

She is survived by her son Kevin (Liz), daughter Coralie (Bob), grandchildren Vanessa, Sara, Christina and Melissa; great grandchildren Kira, Zach, Elena and Steven; and by her beloved friend and caregiver Carol Garrett and friend Betty.

Memorials may be made to Hospice House in University Place or to The Mustard Seed Project of Key Peninsula. A graveside service will be held at a later date.