Ruth Shirley Barron, 84, longtime Coupeville resident, died Oct. 12, 2004, at Careage of Whidbey.

Mrs. Barron was born Nov. 18, 1919, in Salesville, Mont., to Bert S. Shepherd and Nellie (Benham) Shepherd. Ruth grew up in the Bozeman, Mont., area, and loved the beauty of the Gallatin Mountains. Nov. 16, 1946, she married Kenneth L. Barron in Lake County, Mont. They lived in Montana for a time before moving to Everett, and eventually to Coupeville.

Ruth was employed at Whidbey General Hospital as a cook, and was known for her excellent culinary skills. She was actively involved in children’s ministries, 4-H and prison ministries. Her dedication in prison ministries led to the writing of an article in Readers Digest about the love and hope she brought to inmates all over the country. She also enjoyed cooking, writing poetry and crocheting, as well as virtually all aspects of home crafts. She self-published a cookbook. She was also an excellent if untaught artist, and could play the violin. Ruth had attended the Coupeville Four-Square Church (Living Hope.)

Ruth is survived by her two children, Katy Sharpe of Spokane and Dan Barron of Lacey; four grandchildren, Walter, Joe and Lauren Dobrovolny and Jason Barron; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Lela Wilkins of Wheaton, Ill.; one sister-in-law, Hilda Haiton of Alaska; also, two nieces and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth L. Barron April 23, 1994, and by one brother, Roi B. Shepherd.

Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m., at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Pastor Rick Karjalainen officiating. Memorials may be made to Coupeville Foursquare Church, 105 NW Broadway St., Coupeville, WA  98239.