Ruth Dorothy Owens

Ruth Dorothy Owens, of Anacortes, WA, went home to her Heavenly Father on November 2, 2016. Ruth was 83, born in Lynden, WA on April 12, 1933 to Gerard Anton (Tony) Groenen and Wilhelmine (Baumann) Groenen.

Ruth grew up in Mount Vernon where she graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1951. She then attended Saint Joseph’s School of Nursing in Bellingham WA and became a Registered Nurse. On October 29, 1955 Ruth married Clifford Ferguson and they raised two boys, Greg and Tim. Ruth worked at various hospitals in Washington as an Emergency Room nurse for over 35 years. She also worked as a home health care nurse. During retirement she enjoyed volunteering throughout the community. Ruth enjoyed traveling and being with her family. She especially loved her four grandchildren whom she took to Disneyland. After the passing of her first husband, Ruth married John Owens. They enjoyed traveling together and eating the wonderful meals John would cook. Ruth enjoyed her view of the water and Mount Baker from her house in Anacortes and being on the water in boats.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and first husband Clifford O. Ferguson.

She is survived by her husband John Owens; sons, Gregory and (Debbie) Ferguson and Timothy and (Dolora) Ferguson; four grandchildren, Sarah (Scott) Robinson, Rachel (Kevin) Krebs, Scott (Rocio) Ferguson, and Matthew (Rachelle) Ferguson; seven great grandchildren; brother Gary (Roxetta) Groenen; step daughters, Cassie Owens and Letha Owens and husband Jeff Brown); and their children Owen and Maggie Brown; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice.

A Vigil Service will be held at Westford Funeral Home in Bellingham at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 9th . Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 10th at 10:00 am at Sacred Catholic Church in Bellingham. Burial will follow at Hawthorne Lawn Cemetery in Mount Vernon.

You may share your memories of Ruth at www.westfordfuneralhome.com