Ruth Lorraine Shuman Carroll passed away Sept. 22, 2011, in Oak Harbor, surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, everyone knew that since 1937 she has considered only one “place” to be her “home.” She has now returned home, to once again be with her beloved husband Lou, who died in 2005.

Raised in the Olympia area, Ruth was a teacher not only by profession, but also by the many examples she gave of quiet patient devotion and generosity. She and Lou made people comfortable in their presence with their innate kindness and willingness to share, or to dig in and help in whatever way they could. Ruth loved her crossword puzzles and reading as well as keeping informed of current events.

Retiring to the home they built on Long Point in Coupeville, she spent many hours cooking and baking and her kitchen turned Lou’s garden and seafood harvesting into wonderful meals for family and friends. But her greatest joy was taking care of her husband and their close-knit nuclear and extended families.

We miss you Mom, Gran and Ruth. You and Dad were the best examples of love, devotion, generosity and kindness in our lives. Many of the good things we have accomplished in our lives have occurred because we were trying to emulate the way we saw you live. The very best thing that we could hope for you is that you feel as comfortable and as loved as you made us feel. Now, reunited with Dad, you have that very thing which you so richly deserve. Rest well. Be happy again. Love, your family.

Ruth is survived by her three children, Donna of Juneau, Alaska, Bob of Lincoln, Calif., and Jim of Langley, Wash. Services will be held at a future date.

Being a lifelong educator, Ruth is aiding three Kenyan children to complete their high school education through her sponsorship and asked that remembrances be made in her name to The Kenya Project for Education and Spiritual Growth, P.O. Box 2023 Lilburn GA 30048. The Kenya Project is a non profit organization aiding children near Nakuru, Kenya (www.thekenyaproject.org).