Shelley Anne Dougall-Ruh, 60, of Oak Harbor, died Aug. 28, 2011, at Skagit Valley Hospital following a long battle with breast cancer.

She was born Jan. 28, 1951, to Myrtle E. Byrd and Robert Earl Dougall in Fort Worth, Texas. Her education included a bachelor of arts degree from Texas Christian University, and a master of divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York. Among her favorite jobs were city editor and religion editor for the Portage Daily Register, Portage, Wis.; public affairs manager, Encyclopedia Britannica, Chicago; and her favorite, domestic and international flight attendant for United Airlines, Seattle.

Teaching was a big part of her life as she was an Americorps phonics teacher, Dallas; and a grammar instructor at the Center for English Language, Dallas, where she taught English as a Second Language to international students.

She had many interests and among them was taking flying lessons and working toward her private pilot’s license – ill health interrupted that pursuit. She also loved to sing, play piano, travel, garden, sew, dance, draw, cook, read, go hiking, tent camp and watch movies, especially “Jaws” and “Perfect Storm” for which she had nearly memorized the dialog for each. The Episcopal Church played an important role in her life.

On Oct. 22, 1986, she married William E. Ruh II in Chicago. She is survived by her husband, Oak Harbor; daughter, Apryl E. Brinkley, New Haven, Conn.; sister-in-law, Marge Ruh, Milwaukee Wis.; and her “doggie-dog” (beloved) Buddy. Her mother and father preceded her in death as did her step-father, William Holzapfel.

In lieu of flowers please send memorials to your local Humane Society or WAIF.

Please share your thoughts of Shelley and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12, at Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon (360-424-1154) with a reception to follow in the Hawthorne Reception Room.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, Wash.