Virginia Faye Ruda, 72, died May 23, 2007 at her home in Baker City.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 26, at the Baker City Christian Church, 675 HWY 7. Pastor Roger Scovil will officiate. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family in the church’s Garden Room for a luncheon.
Faye was born July 19, 1934 in El Centro, Calif., the oldest of 12 children born to Trayman and Amilia (Greer) Moore. Her love for gardening later in life grew from her childhood years working in the fields picking fruits and vegetables in California’s San Joaquin Valley to help support her family. Even though she worked to help support the family and care for her younger brothers and sisters, Faye was able to attend school and went through the 11th grade. After school, Faye worked as a telephone operator.
On Dec. 19, 1952, Faye married Bernard Ruda. Her life with her young family involved always having a meal ready when it was time to eat, keeping a nice house, and making sure the children and Bernard were ok.
Her faith was unbending. She never went through the day without praising the Lord and telling other people about the love God has for us and how much she looked forward to her place in heaven. Sundays to Faye were for church and Sunday School followed by a dinner or barbecue with friends and family.
Faye’s life was that of a mother, wife and friend to many people. A perfect day for Faye would be up early in the morning to go fishing, and of course, her catching the biggest and the most fish, then picking some huckleberries and mushrooms before heading home to fix a huge dinner for her family and friends.
She kept a beautiful yard and often a garden. She kept her freezer and pantry full of homemade treats she had grown and lovingly shared with her family. She had so much passion and love for other people. She spent a good part of her day, even when she became ill, doing things for other people. Faye was a very positive influence on her family and friends, all who knew her are happy for the precious time she was able to spend with them.
She is survived by her husband Bernard; children, Benny Ruda and his wife Judy, Rhonda Scattini and her husband Gene, and Joe Ruda; grandchildren Camie, Jesse, Jason, Marisa, Josh, Kadee Jo, Devin, Tambrely, Amanda and Cole; great-granddaughter Rio Laine; and four brothers and two sisters.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Baker City Christian Church in care of Gray’s West & Company Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, May 25, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor