Ruth Ann Maguire

Ruth Ann Moody Maguire passed away peacefully the morning of Nov. 6, 2024 at the age of 81, at her home in Gunnison, Colorado.

Born in Tucson in 1943 to Robert J. and Elizabeth M. Moody, Ruth Ann's family soon moved to Yuma, Arizona where her father became the Yuma County Agricultural Extension Agent. In 1948, her family moved to a farm near Somerton, where Ruth spent most of her childhood working with livestock, driving tractor, a nine year 4-H member and riding her horses.

A proud graduate of Yuma High School in 1961, she attended the University of Arizona to prepare for a career in agricultural journalism but soon found that she enjoyed teaching much more than writing. She transferred to Northern Arizona University and completed a degree in Education. While teaching in Yuma, Ruth Ann realized her greater passion was to teach reading. She earned a Master's Degree as a reading specialist at the University of Montana.

She then moved to the Seattle area and taught reading for six years before moving to Gunnison, Colorado to be with her college sweetheart. She worked for the accounting firm of Yale and Tudor, as a driver for the Homestake Mining company, as a junior high school reading specialist and as a computer programmer-analyst for Western Colorado University where she worked until her retirement in 2000.

In 1987, Ruth married Donald, her college sweetheart, in a ceremony in Gunnison, Colorado, well attended by families of the bride and groom. Nieces and nephews took part in the ceremony and soon became a focus of Ruth and Don's lives as they would be invited to spend summers in Gunnison or travel in the western states and later make a trip to Alaska when they graduated from high school.

Ruth was always a lady and a true friend. Volunteering to contribute her time, energy and talent to whatever endeavor was at hand, her many friends and acquaintances frequently relied on her for advice, guidance and assistance. She was an active member of P.E.O. Chapter GY and she devoted considerable time to the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. She was a long-time member and supporter of the Gunnison Congregational Church where she served on the pastor-parish relations committee and was instrumental in supporting the capital campaign, annual budgets and financing.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Robert J. and Elizabeth M. Moody, and sisters-in-law Janet Vaughn and Sharon Moody. She is survived by her husband Donald Maguire, brothers John Moody, James Moody, Charles Moody (Diane) and Bill Moody (Stefanie), along with 14 nieces and nephews and their families.

A celebration of Ruth's Life will be held on Jan. 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Yuma, Arizona, at 598 South Seventh Avenue. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Rocky Mountain ALS Association or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.