Ruth Hill

Ruth and her identical twin sister, Mary Lee, were born nearly two months early on March 12, 1935, to Vernon and Iva Mooneyham on a wheat ranch four miles north of Copeland, Kansas. Because of the weather, her father had to travel to town with his shotgun and convince the doctor to come to the house for the delivery. The doctor was just in time, but neglected to mark which girl was born first. Birth certificates being what they are, she was second-born. Her first cradle was a shared shoe box laid near the wood stove for warmth. Soon to follow were sisters Doris, Deloris, and Alice with brother Donald rounding out the family. Her father’s occupation took him all over the mid-west. From Wyoming to Missouri, Idaho, California, and back to Wyoming before settling down in Lewiston, Idaho, at the beginning of her seventh grade. It was in Lewiston years later that she met, fell in love with, and married her lifelong companion, Don Hill. She continued to travel with her musician husband until her first born son, Forrest, arrived on the scene. When Don was sent to Germany by the army, she lived in California to be near family. After Don’s discharge, they were on the road again covering the western U.S. After their second child Cindy was born in The Dalles, they moved to Pendleton which became their home base. Four years later, she gave birth to her final child, Jennifer. Ruth made many friends and took up bowling; attending numerous state tournaments. Raised on a farm, she was a lifelong gardener. Every new home soon boasted a large vegetable patch. Ruth was an accomplished painter, and showed and sold many works. She also tended bar, waitressed, and washed dishes but mostly she was mother to her children. A lifelong seamstress, she took up quilting when her children were grown and grand children began arriving on the scene. She made quilts and comfort blankets for the Yakima Fire Department, which were given to child fire victims. Her support there will be sorely missed. Ruth breathed her last on July 31, 2015. She is survived by her husband, Don of Yakima, son Forrest Hill and daughter-in law Christy of Reedsport Oregon, Cindy Hill of Yakima, Jennifer Harvey of Selah and sisters Mary Lee, Deloris, and Alice. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 10am Saturday, August 8, at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Hill, please visit our flower store.