HINE-Naoma Ruth Hine died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, July 19, 2010.

She was born to Leroy Sylvester., and Anna Jean Heath on a farm in Attica, Kansas, on Sept. 5, 1923, the youngest of eight children.

Ruth attended elementary school in a one-room school house, and sang in a popular trio in high school. She married before graduating from high school and had a son, William (Bill), who’s father died in a car accident. She moved with her son to Wichita, Kansas and worked at Boeing in the drafting department during the war.

It was there that she met William (Bill) Hine, an Aviation Ordinanceman Second Class in the U.S. Navy. They dated and corresponded while he was deployed in the South Pacific. They married before the war ended, and joined each other to begin their married life in Harper, Kansas.

In 1954 they moved to Everett, Washington, where they settled and raised their children, to later include daughters, Christina and Patty. Ruth was a devoted mother and wife, as she kept home and hearth together through various moves, following Bill’s career changes, first to northern and then central California.

In 1991, they moved to beautiful Florence, Ore., after Bill retired, to be near their son and grandchildren.

The central focus of Ruth’s life was her family and her church work. An active woman of faith, she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, attended conferences and led the Christian marriage enrichment group for 30 years. She worked as a library assistant, instructional aide and tutored children with reading difficulties while in California.

Ruth loved music. She played several instruments and sang with Sweet Adeline’s. She was always singing and getting others to join in. She loved to join family around the piano to sing three-part harmony to hymns and popular tunes.

Her faith was strong, and she lived by the creed that it’s through your service to others that you serve God. She was generous and giving in every way, to friends, family and community. Ruth never met a stranger. Her heart was always open. Ruth lived her life in harmony with the greatest commandant: love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.

She has set the standard for forgiveness and unconditional love. Her wisdom and support will dwell in all our hearts always.

Husband Bill (of 65 years) predeceased her in March 2010. She’s survived by son William V. Hine of Florence and wife Marilyn Jo, daughters Christina Blust and her husband Dean of Juneau, Alaska, and Patty Hine and her partner Debby McGee of Eugene, Oregon. She’s survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorials in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Florence United Methodist Women, 333 Kingwood St., Florence, OR 97439.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 31, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.