BOMBER MEMORIAL

RUTH ANN JONES KEEFE ~ Class of 1965
December 28, 1946 - December 17, 2021







Ruth Ann Jones Keefe passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on December 17, 2021 at Caring Hands Adult Family Home in Kennewick.

She was born in Richland to Harold and Liz Jones on December 28, 1946. She grew up with three brothers and one sister and spent her entire life in the Tri-Cities.

Ruth graduated from Columbia High School (now Richland High School) in 1965. She was a good student, but music was her real forte. She could play many instruments including piano, clarinet, oboe and saxophone.

Ruth took part in several musicals in high school and was a member of the marching band.

For many years Ruth played clarinet in the Richland Light Opera orchestra.

On graduation from high school she was awarded a music scholarship to Columbia Basin College. At the end of her freshman year she was designated Outstanding Music Student of the Year.

After her freshman year she married her high school sweetheart, Joe Keefe ('64), and soon after had her son, Bob Keefe. After the birth of their son they divorced.

The following years were difficult as a single mother, but Ruth always managed to make ends meet and take care of her son.

Ruth’s first job was at The Hanford House washing dishes.

In 1973 Ruth returned to Columbia Basin College to brush up on her typing skills and try for a Word Processing position at PNNL. She worked at PNNL for 30 years before retiring in 2009.

An avid sports fan, Ruth enjoyed watching the Seahawks play. However, her favorite team to keep up with was the Seattle Mariners, and she watched them play any chance she got.

Ruth was a woman of many talents and hobbies including, scrapbooking, quilting, and photographing and videotaping special family occasions. You could always count on Ruth to be behind the camera or video recorder when the family was together, and we now treasure the memories she preserved for us.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Bob Keefe (Kristen); her brothers; Larry Jones ('67) (Carol Ann), Richard Jones ('80) (Robin) and Mark Jones ('81) (Kay); her sister; Carolyn Jones Sherwood (Mark) ('69); grandchildren: Jason Talbott, Carissa Guajardo (Andrew), Matthew Keefe and Jacob Keefe; great grandchildren: Aldrea Guajardo, Jade Guajardo and Cain Guajardo. She will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Liz Jones; and by her great granddaughter, Maggie Guajardo.

"Godspeed, Mom. We love you, and we will miss you."

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 8, 2021, at Einan's at Sunset Gardens; 915 Bypass HWY; Richland, with a celebration of life following at The Living Room Community Church; 1409 S Garfield; Kennewick.

View and sign the Einan's guestbook.

Bomber Memorial put together by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).