“I come from a long line of strong women,” pronounced Ruth, as she gazed down at the vast prairie beneath her first transcontinental plane trip. “I know I was one of those women, I could feel it in my hands.” Indeed, anyone who ever knew Ruth can attest to her spirit strength, optimism, and her “Can Do” attitude.

Ruth McCabe was born in 1915, a middle child, between Peter and Jean. Her parents were Alice (Nee) Stone of Ferndale and Peter McCabe of Ireland. Her father owned and operated a tannery at 3 Corners, near Freshwater Road. Sadly, he was killed in an accident when Ruth was 11. From that moment, the family all pitched in, working to keep food on the table and the home from foreclosure.

Ruth and her sister, Jean, began a paper route that continued through their elementary and teenage years until they graduated Eureka High. For 20 years, Ruth and her sister, Jean, operated McCabe’s Juvenile Shop, specializing in infants and children’s clothing and toys, also parochial school uniforms. After closing the store in 1958, Ruth worked for Daly’s children’s dept.

During the war years, Ruth became a journeyman welder. She met and married Clyde Farmer and they built Liberty ships together in the Bay Area. “What could I do?” Clyde said, “She was the best welder, the best worker and the only one who could read a blueprint! I had to marry her!” After returning to Eureka, Ruth and Clyde bought property in the Pine Hill area. They built their house together by hand. They raised five children together. They also built and managed eight rental houses on the site.

Always interested in art, Ruth took lessons at CR and her house is decorated with her paintings, sculptures, and stained glass. Ruth loved traveling and has been many places throughout the world. For almost 50 years Ruth has been a member of Braille Transcribers of Humboldt, where she transcribed children’s books into braille for blind children. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and treasured activities shared with her sisters. She was a founding member and current Treasurer of Unity Church of Redwoods. Her many activities and most especially her interactions with fellow members brought Ruth much joy. For many years now, Ruth has been a constant fixture at St. Vincent De Paul Dining Hall on 3rd St. Eureka, where she fed the homeless every week.

Ruth is predeceased by her husband, Clyde, and her sons, Myles and Kevin, and her sister, Jean McCabe. Ruth is survived by daughters, Jill Farmer, Sheila Davitto (Bernie), Celeste Teters (Dexter Gauntlett) and grandchildren, Jessica and Kevin Jeters, and Laura Griffin. Also surviving are: daughter-in-law Rainy Farmer, granddaughter Reka Mar (Dan), great grandsons Harlan and Jacques LeRoux, also granddaughter Jourdan Farmer (Jacob Michaud) and great-granddaughter Kalea Michaud. Also: Granddaughter Caitlin Dobie (Matt) and great granddaughter Imogen.

Ruth’s Family would like to thank all in the community for your efforts and calls and cards on our behalf. We invite all to a Memorial Service and a very “colorful Celebration of Ruth’s Life.” Saturday, September 22 at 2 p.m. at Morris Graves Museum of Art located at 636 F St., Eureka. In lieu of flowers, Ruth requests donations to the following:

• Humboldt County Library Administration 1313 3rd St. Eureka, CA 95501
• St. Vincent De Paul Dining Hall 45 3rd St. Eureka, CA 95501.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ruth Farmer’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.