Ruth A. Grabast

Ruth was born in Williamstown, Oswego, New York to Emma (Jenkins) and Milo Trumble. She spent her childhood helping her father and three brothers working the family farm. After high school graduation, Ruth worked in Syracuse, New York where she met and married, Stephen Parry (later divorced). They made their homes in Fairbanks, Alaska and Baldwinsville, New York.

In 1960, Ruth married Andrew Gargan (later divorced). They moved to Madera, California where she raised her girls to adulthood. At the Madera Community Hospital, Ruth met the love of her life, Edwin Grabast. They were married on May 1, 1983 and later made Grants Pass, Oregon their retirement destination. Ruth and Ed shared twenty-two happy years together, adventuring. They especially enjoyed spending time with the “donut shop gang” and their grandsons, Jeffrey and Jason (Seagraves) and great-granddaughter, Jessica (Seagraves), all of Grants Pass.

Ruth loved Arabian horse shows, traversing the country with Ed in their motorhome, high school musicals, crossword puzzles, Steve Harvey, and an ice cold Pepsi. “Wow.”

Ruth leaves behind her loving daughters Linda Seagraves (Howell) of Grants Pass, Oregon; Lisa Parry (Williamson) of Salt Lake City, Utah; Laurie Gargan (Hunter) of Fresno, California; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, her loyal friends, and a scruffy, stray tomcat named Buddy. Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Ed, her parents, and 3 brothers.

The family sends a heartfelt thank you to Ruth’s friends for their loyal friendship and support as well as her Asante hospice care team who gently cared for Ruth and her daughters as she “raged against the dying of the light.”

Ruth was a bright light in so many lives; she will forever shine in our hearts and minds. Till we meet again, Mama. We love you.

A celebration of life will be held at Hull and Hull Funeral Home in Grants Pass at 10 a.m. on May 11, 2017. Interment will follow at Eagle Point National Cemetery, Eagle Point, Oregon, 1p.m.