Ruth Irene (Neal) McMillan

Ruth Irene McMillan died on August 30, 2018.  She was 81 years old.  Born to Clarence and Anna Neal in the spring of 1937, Ruth was one of six beloved children.  The Neal family were their own band of merry players and they shared their hearts through the gift of song.  Every week Ruth and her siblings would walk to the Puyallup radio station and sing live for local listeners.  Theirs was a family of both blood and spirit.  Growing up together they shared a love of the Lord, music, and small adventures.  They would walk a mile along the railroad each day to school and back, sing together, and were always close.  After graduating from White River High School in 1956, Ruth married and set about raising a family.  She spent time in Alaska, braving the snow, before eventually venturing back to the Pacific Northwest and staying close to those she loved.  She had three children whom she cherished and who filled her life with love, warmth, and immense joy.  She loved to garden, getting her hands dirty and making her corner of the world just a little bit more beautiful.  Later in life Ruth found another kind of beauty by seeking out warm weather and clear skies.  She traveled to Arizona and Mexico in search of the sunshine, often with a sibling in tow.  A people person, Ruth enjoyed getting to know those around her and loving them with all her might.  Both curious and sharp, she loved to play and had a laugh that held no reservations.  Her down time was dedicated to crochet, flowers, fluffy little dogs, and doting on her grandchildren.  Ruth loved to love, and she loved the adventure of her life.  Traveling for work or for pleasure gave Ruth the time and ability to study nature and she took joy in being able to distinguish between native plants and trees.  Her enjoyment of knowledge gained never waned.  She was vibrant, and she will actively be missed.  Her love and light live on in those she leaves behind.  Those lucky to be her living memory are her son Doug Chute; daughter Glenda (Wendel) Becker; grandchildren Levi, Justine, and Lance (Amanda); great grandchildren Claire and Grayson; and the siblings who cherished her all the days of her life Melba (Al) Albert, Leanna (Phil) Hillard, Dwayne (Carole) Neal, Geneva (Bob) Peretti, and Peggy (Dave) Lund.  Ruth joins in Heaven her beloved son Robert Chute who preceded her in death.

The family will gather to say goodbye at Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary at 2 pm on Saturday September 8, 2018.  A reception and time for fellowship will directly follow the service in the Garden Room.  Remembrances in honor of Ruth should be made to the Bob Chute Memorial Scholarship.

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