Ruth (Verrill) McQuigg Obit d. 12/29/07 Monrovia, CA w/o Howard J. McQuigg
Ruth V. McQuigg
Ruth V. McQuigg, resident of Monrovia, passed away quietly in her home Dec. 29, 2007 at the age of 91. Born on April 28, 1916 in New Haven, Connecticut, Ruth was the loving daughter of George and Amy (Doane) Verrill and the proud granddaughter of the renowned zoologist, Addison E. Verrill. Ruth spent her childhood years in New Haven, Fort Yellowstone, Wyoming, and Kauai, Hawaii before ending up in Santa Barbara, California. There, while singing in a church choir, she met the man she would marry, Howard James McQuigg. Ruth and Howard moved to San Pedro, California and subsequently to Monrovia, California where they lived for more than 60 years. Ruth was an avid traveler, taking family vacations to visit dear friends in Liberty County, Montana, as well as extended trips exploring most of the U.S. and muc h of Canada. She also had a thirst for knowledge, attending college courses, reading extensively, and learning about diverse cultures which resulted in opening her home to many people from different countries. Ruth had a passion for nature, spending hours in her garden, taking girl and boy scouts on instructional hikes, and enjoying the beauty and solitude of Fish Canyon from the rustic family cabin accessible only by trail. Above all, Ruth's greatest love was for her family; she took pride in being a wi fe, mother and provider of a nurturing home environment. Ruth was preceded in death by Howard; her sons, James and Robert; and her daughter, Jean. She will be missed by her son, John (Mary) McQuigg of Rathdrum, Idaho; daughter, Mary Ann (Rafael) Garcia; sisters, Eunice Norberg and Joyce (Gene) Smith; 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be held at Douglass and Zook Mortuary Chapel, Monrovia, Monday, January 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. after which she will be laid to rest at Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund www.vitascharityfund.org, Pasadena Convalescent Aide Society (CAS) 3255 East Foothill Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107, or Sierra Madre Search & Rescue Team, PO Box 24, Sierra Madre, CA 91025. Ruth's family wishes to thank all those who gave their mother such extraordinary care, kindness, love and support for the past three years.
Published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune from 1/3/2008 - 1/5/2008.