Ruth Ann Morgan, née Wright, died peacefully on the morning of December 3 rd , 2024, at the age of 72, in Kuna, Idaho. A second-generation Idahoan, she was born on April 9 th , 1952, to Harold and Bessie Wright and grew up with her younger brother, Floyd, on a ranch in Weippe. Not one to talk much about the past, we were lucky to hear recently about how her father would give her a calf to raise on her birthday to sell for a handsome profit at the 4-H auction, and that she spent one summer as a young adult perched in a fire lookout in the Clearwater National Forest.
Soon after graduation, Ruth left Weippe and did not look back. Two marriages and babies followed. She settled in the Boise area where her favorite job was as a clerk for the Idaho State Police, where she worked for 10 years, enjoying teamwork and camaraderie with the ISP team. Ruth also worked for the postal service, and in healthcare, retiring as an in-home caregiver for hospice where her life became interwoven with the patients that she cared for. Camping in the Cascades, trips to the Oregon Coast, fishing, Paul Simon’s Graceland, Les Misérables , her dog, Pumpkin, and kitty, Daisy, ice cream and pie of any kind, and watching Jeopardy, and Dr. Phil, were some of her favorite things. She was a great cook of comforting foods and blessed her family with dinners and memories of tater tot casseroles, tamale pies, honey curry chicken, beef stroganoff, delicious pumpkin rolls, and peach and blueberry cobblers.
Her life was characterized not so much by accomplishment or adventure, as by her quiet and steadfast faith in God, which she did not profess, but exemplified. In her characteristically understated way, she lived her commitment to voluntary simplicity, choosing often to make do with what she had over buying something new. An Idaho farm girl at heart, she was incredibly tough and never complained, remaining independent in her home in spite of increasing debility due to Parkinson’s. After becoming homebound, her life was daily enriched by Idaho Public Broadcasting where she continued to learn about Idaho history, horses, or tiny homes.
In the last months of her life, she was whole-heartedly welcomed by the community of residents and staff at Swan Falls Assisted Living. From her first, tentative visit, she noticed the smiles on the faces of residents and took it as evidence that she was making the right decision to finally leave her home. Once she settled in, and to the surprise and delight of her family, she occasionally participated in crafts, played games, and shared meals. She was appreciated there for her warmth and sense of humor, particularly her punchy one-liners. She perked up in the care of Heather, Nick, Aria, Pierre, Lindsey, and Aly at Swan Falls, and Melissa and AJ, from Terrace Home Health. Our family is deeply grateful to these unsung heroes who have given us the peace of mind that the last chapter of her life a happy one.
Ruth was a beloved mother and grandmother. She will be missed by her children, Christy and Matthew Thompson, Kimberly Morgan, Katie Bailey (Don), and grandkids, Gus, Keeley, and Bijou, who like to imagine her around 17 years old, riding her horse, Lady, across the Weippe Prairie, and laughing…