Ruth Ann Hibbard

Ruth Ann Hibbard passed away on Tuesday, February 4 in Mooresville, NC. She was the daughter of Ward Don and Eleanor Tress Henderson. She is survived by husband of 69 years, Ronald J. "Ozzie" Hibbard, sister Martha Henderson Rising, children Jim & Becky Hibbard and Carole & Paul Sanford, grandchildren John, Evan, and Jenna Hibbard, Matthew and Rachel Sanford, and great-granddaughter Layla James Hibbard.

 Ruth was affectionately known as Ruth Ann to her mother and sister, Ruthie-Woothie to her father in younger years, Pug to her husband and friends, Mom to her children, Mama Ruth to her grandkids, and also "wind beneath my wings" to husband Ozzie.

 Ruth's life is best characterized by learning, bravery, faith, and sacrifice. From late teens and well into her 70s, she played uninterrupted, major roles in others' lives through selfless acts of service. She departs with a strong legacy forever remembered by those she poured herself into. Many of us are who we are because of the love, values, and opportunity to succeed given by Ruth Hibbard. Her belief in us inspired us.

 Ruth's family moved to Cuyahoga Falls when she was a schoolgirl. After Lincoln Elementary, she attended and graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High school. Her asthma kept her from sports, but she otherwise enjoyed a pleasant childhood that included play, tree-climbing, and piano lessons.

 Ruth was 17 when she met a young ex-Marine. He eventually became her husband … but not until he finished his high school degree at her insistence. Inspired by her belief in him, Ozzie Hibbard then joined Ruth at Kent State University. With her degree in secretarial science, Ruth worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber so Ozzie could finish his Bachelors degree and, eventually, his Masters. As Ozzie began his career in education, Ruth stayed home to raise son Jimmy and daughter Carole in Cuyahoga Falls.

 Jimmy and Carole will always remember Ruth's unswayable belief in their abilities and goodness, and the way she modeled virtues such as tolerance, love of nature, compassion, equality, and the value of education. She was a highly intelligent, relentless, life-long learner. She was a "regular" at the local library, an avid reader, and, eventually, an amateur internet researcher we lovingly dubbed "Cyber Mom" during the early days of Yahoo and Google. 

 As children neared time to enter college, Ruth re-entered the workforce, first as a "Kelly girl" secretarial temp and later as a full-time legal assistant at Hoover & Heydorn in Cuyahoga Falls. When children finished college, Ruth retired to care for her widowed mother. For many subsequent years, Ruth's care-giving tasks were full-time, given in love so her mother could stay in her own home and eventually pass there at age 103 with Ruth and Ozzie at her side. 

 Ruth and Ozzie have maintained deep relationships throughout their lives with friends from youth and others they met along the way. Ruth also maintained a quiet and sincere relationship with her Creator. She has told others of an experience in her 30s during which she knew without doubt she was seen, accepted, loved, forgiven, and protected by God. Ruth's love of Jesus has grown throughout her life. Ruth and Ozzie were members of Bethany United Church of Christ in Cuyahoga Falls for decades. 

 During their empty nest and post-caregiver days, Ruth and Ozzie enjoyed travel adventures around the world, both together and occasionally with friends. In 2014, they moved to North Carolina to be close to daughter Carole and her family. 

 With aging has come the grief of watching aging friends and family pass. Ruth also battled COPD from second-hand smoke, arthritis in her fingers that kept her from playing the piano, mobility challenges, and poor eyesight that made reading nearly impossible. Throughout the loss of people and things she loved, Ruth remained herself: loving, learning, kind, and devoted to husband and family. 

 Ruth fought to make it to her 90th birthday, loved being with family to celebrate, and greeted us the next day in her "Battle-Tested Warrior Queen" t-shirt. She fought for two more days before leaving for her final home in eternity with the Creator she loves and reunited with those who have gone before.

 A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday February 8, 2025, at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.