Ruth Ellen Richards

Ruth E. Richards, 79, surrounded by as much love as she shared with everyone around her, passed away in her home on Saturday, July 24, 2021. Ruth was born in Chicago and raised in St. Louis before attending Colorado College. In Colorado Springs, Ruth met and married Nathan (Rusty) Richards-her husband of 27 years-and began family life that included Nathan’s sister, brothers, sister-in-laws and eventually two children, Robin and Tim. After living in Wichita, Kansas and Bakersfield, California, the family moved to Tulsa. Ruth soon became rooted in the community where she worked in fundraising for the Girls Scouts, Nature Conservancy, Legal Aid, American Lung Association, and most recently and passionately for Hospice of Green Country.

Ruth prized human connection. She organized not only philanthropic events such as Wild Brew and Oysters and Ale, but also regular family get-togethers. Through her church, All Souls Unitarian, she volunteered in the library at Unity Elementary School and worked on various committees. Ruth enjoyed the outdoors and critters, especially turtles, cats and birds. Ruth sent birthday cards to friends and family. She never missed an opportunity to extend herself to others. She enjoyed regular meals with her friends of Women in Communications, the “Hipster Group” and the “Notorious 9” while maintaining connections with her Wichita “Support Group.” Ruth loved her friends like sisters. She referred to them as family.

Those closest to Ruth sought her wit, wisdom, and appreciation for art and literature, especially poetry and music. Because of her own, personal commitment to self-improvement, Ruth offered honest advice. She shared her own challenges to help others persevere through their difficult times. Ruth was fun; she smiled and laughed easily. She was a good listener and enjoyed talking with others, especially her grandchildren and great granddaughter. She was affectionate and generous with both her hugs and her handshakes.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Helen Richardson and two older brothers, Sherwood and Bobby. Besides Nathan, extended family members and countless friends, Ruth is survived by an immediate family who will miss her every day and includes her daughter Robin and partner Paul Scott; Tim Richards and his wife, Caitriona; grandchildren Read Richards and his wife Kyla, Zea Cunningham, Allex Allen and her husband Danny; and her great granddaughter, Frances Pepper Richards.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to one of the following organizations that Ruth cared so passionately about:

Hospice of Green Country

1120 S Boston, Suite 200

Tulsa, OK 74119

http://www.hospiceofgreencountry.org

The Nature Conservancy, Oklahoma

10425 South 82nd East Ave, Suite 104

Tulsa, OK 74133

https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/oklahoma/

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma

4810 S 129th E Ave