- Date Of Birth: March 4, 1931
- Date Of Death: November 8, 2021
- State: Utah
Ruth Eileen Croft, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away November 8, 2021 in Oakley, Utah at an assisted care facility, at the age of 90. Ruth was born March 4, 1931 in Nephi, Utah to Charles Leon and Mabel Mary Glass Gibson, the third of five children. She grew up in Nephi and Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from West High School in 1948. After graduation, she moved with her parents to Ogden, Utah.
Ruth was a registered nurse. She attended Weber College, and was a member of the first graduating class of bachelor-degreed nurses from the LDS Hospital School of Nursing and the University of Utah in 1952.
On August 20, 1954 Ruth married her sweetheart, Albert Paul Croft, in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had two children.
Ruth was involved in many aspects of nursing. She was a public health nurse in both Utah and Weber counties. Ruth worked as a nurse in hospitals in Vernal and Ogden, Utah. She was a head nurse and director of nursing at Weber County Hospital in Roy. Ruth also worked in various capacities in skilled nursing facilities in Ogden, and was a school nurse in the Weber County School District until she retired in 1996. While raising her young children, she temporarily stepped back from full-time nursing. Even during this hiatus, Ruth was involved in nursing in various volunteer capacities. She headed the mass vaccination clinics in Roy when the Sabin Polio Vaccine was first introduced to the public in the early 1960’s. After retirement, Ruth volunteered with retired doctors at free clinics for the homeless in Ogden. She was often sought out for her medical expertise, and generously helped many in her community.
After living a short time in Vernal, Utah, Ruth and Paul settled in Roy, Utah in 1957. They lived there for over 63 years. Their children were raised in Roy and both were active participants in the growth of this city in those years. When they moved to Roy, they lived on a quiet rural street near undeveloped sand and sagebrush-covered land. The city grew around them until they finally lived on a busy street with many homes and the large Roy High School campus.
Ruth was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held numerous teaching and leadership positions. She served for more than a decade as her ward Relief Society Spiritual Living Teacher. Ruth served in various auxiliary presidencies, including Relief Society President, and also served in stake auxiliary leadership roles. Together with her husband, Ruth enjoyed attending the temple.
She enjoyed sewing and quilting. Ruth made clothing and quilts for family and friends, and donated items to charity. Later in life, she was active in quilt guilds in Roy and Ogden.
One who was gifted in welcoming and fellowshipping the stranger, Ruth continually sought to help those she encountered in life. It was common for her to sit next to someone who was new and make them feel welcome. While walking daily with Paul, Ruth would greet the strangers she encountered. Some of these people became lifelong friends. She tried to improve the lot of others. As a public health nurse, Ruth fearlessly challenged merchants to supply necessary appliances free-of-charge to those in need. She mentored and helped young people she encountered, giving advice and helping them to improve themselves. Ruth sought to help people in trouble, regardless of the source of their troubles. A lifelong gardener, she graciously shared produce from her garden with many others.
Ruth loved her family, friends, and neighbors, and will be long remembered by those who were blessed by her generosity and love. She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Fought, and her son and daughter, Alan Croft (Denise), and Karen Lowry. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank all those that have given loving care to Ruth these past few years, and during her final illness.
