Obituary of Ruth Ellen Ditty

Ruth Ellen (Dubel) Ditty, aged 73, died peacefully at home while surrounded by her family, on August 20, 2014, after a long struggle with kidney disease. She was born October 16, 1940, in Pomona California, the daughter of John W. Dubel and Frances B. (Weeks) Dubel. Ruth moved to Santa Cruz, California with her parents at age 3. Ruth graduated from Santa Cruz High School (SCHS) in 1958. In 1961, Ruth married the love of her life, Ray Clark Ditty, Jr. Ruth worked as a bookkeeper at Sister's Hospital, Santa Cruz; she worked for Santa Cruz City Schools, District Office before devoting herself to family life. She returned to work at Branciforte Junior High School Library, once her children were in school. In addition to raising their two children, Ruth also enjoyed working on the SCHS Alumni Association reunion committee. She received the 2014 Woman of the Year award from her peers in the Santa Cruz Old Timer's Ladies Auxiliary. Ruth was also a member of Eastern Star, Redwoods Chapter and Church of the Nazarene. Ruth enjoyed numerous social activities and hobbies including but not limited to baking; ceramics; sewing, knitting, and crochet; bowling on a league at the Santa Cruz Surf Bowl in the sixties. She won numerous awards for her delicious baked goods in the Santa Cruz County Fair. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Rae Ellen Ditty, her "daughter-in-law," Glenda Thomas; son Robert C. Ditty, daughter-in-law, Cindy Ditty; four grandchildren, Payton Ditty, Aidan Ditty, Sophia Gattis, Olivia Gattis; and a number of other relatives and close friends. Services will be held Saturday August 30th at 3pm at The Church of the Nazarene, 115 South Morrissey Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations to Santa Cruz SPCA 2685 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 are appreciated.