Ruth W. Howard | Passages

February 13, 1937 – December 28, 2025

The family and friends of Ruth Marie Welker Howard are saddened to say that Ruth passed from this world on her own terms on December 28, 2025. Her son, Mark Howard, was with her at her home in Friday Harbor. She was 88.

Ruth was born in San Francisco, CA on February 13, 1937, to Adam Welker and Ruth Ida Miller. She graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1954. She met Roger C Howard in San Francisco and they married in 1961. Their son, Mark, was born in 1964. The family moved to Milwaukee, Oregon in 1969 where they resided until Mark graduated from high school. During that time Ruth worked for Dale Harlen and Lillian Meyers, two attorneys in private practice who also became lifelong friends. Ruth also was an active volunteer with the Sheriff’s Office in Clackamas County as a rape victim advocate.

Ruth and Roger moved to Friday Harbor in 1982 where Ruth worked for attorneys John 0 Linde and subsequently Carla J Higginson. She finished her career at the San Juan County Juvenile Court Services and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office until she retired in 2001.

After retirement, she and Roger moved to Kingman, Arizona, where Roger passed away in 2013. Ruth returned to Friday Harbor in 2016 to be near her son. She volunteered at the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office and also at the San Juan Island Library until her health began to fail.

Ruth is survived by her son and his better half Suzie Lefever as well as her sister Joanne Quinn, nieces Lori and Rachel of San Francisco. She was predeceased by her husband Roger, her parents, and her niece Denise.

Ruth loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit many places in Europe, China, the Caribbean and Africa. Ruth loved the beauty around her by enjoying the smallest blossom from her garden, a beautifully laid out table and crystal Christmas ornaments. She enjoyed cooking, the company of her dogs, shopping and making new friends. She was known for her impeccable taste in fashion and jewelry.

Ruth touched many lives over the years. She had a feisty sense of humor that she expressed often. She was fortunate to have many loyal friends who were able to reach out to her to wish her well during her brief time in hospice care. She was very appreciative of the visitors and phone calls she received during her final days.

At a later time, there will be a family gathering to celebrate her life. Any remembrances in her name may be made to the San Juan Island Animal Protection Society. To share memories of Ruth, please visit www.evanschapel.com/obituary/ruth-howard.