- Date Of Birth: September 11, 1923
- Date Of Death: December 26, 2022
- State: New Mexico
Ruth Eleanor Mayhew, born Ruth Eleanor Nelssen on Tuesday, September 11, 1923, was the daughter of the late John M. and Jessie Belle Nelssen in Phoenix, Arizona. She departed this life on Monday, December 26, 2022, at the age of 99. She is the perfect example of beauty and grace.
Ruth earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Northern Arizona University (NAU). Working in the registrar’s office, she met the love of her life, George Mayhew, who had just returned from service at the end of WWII. They were married in Phoenix on August 19, 1947, and worked together at the Mayhew family’s Oak Creek Lodge before moving to Albuquerque in the late 1940s.
Together Ruth and George started a new business with Ruth doing the bookkeeping and starting a family. She was a great mom-raising three children and supporting us all as scout leader and cheerleader for the many sports and activities we participated in.
Ruth was active in many philanthropic organizations and was a longtime member of General Federated Women’s Clubs (GFWC). She honed her leadership skills as president of the local and state chapters and made many lifelong friends along the way. She was also a member of the Assistance League and a member of First Presbyterian Church.
Her talents abounded in many delicious and lovely ways.
Ruth is survived by her three children, George Carl Mayhew of Albuquerque, NM, Ross Mayhew of Las Vegas, NV (son Axel and daughter Lauren), and Andrea Mayhew Hanson of Albuquerque, NM (husband Chuck, son Elliot, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, and grandson Quinn), and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband, George Mayhew; father, John M. Nelssen; mother, Jessie Belle Nelssen; sister Mary Prussing; and brothers David and Dan Nelssen.
Many thanks to the staff at Morningstar Senior Living for taking great care of Ruth for the last six years. At Morningstar, she enjoyed doing the daily crossword puzzle with son Carl and chocolate chip cookies provided by her son Ross and favorite son-in-law Chuck.
