Keeping Things Lively

We always loved when Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jim Wolfe came to town for visits. They were fun-loving people who kept things lively and had us laughing all the time. They usually brought their three kids…Shirley Cameron, Larry Wolfe (who passed away in 1976), and Terry Wolfe. Sometimes they came with friends of Larry and Terry or with Shirley’s husband Wayne “Shorty” Cameron, and children, Tonnya Cameron, and Larry Cameron. It was especially fun when the kids were there. The boys were rowdy and rambunctious, and while my sisters and I couldn’t “take” them in a wrestling match, that didn’t stop us from trying…or them from pretending we might win. The boys’ style was just like Aunt Ruth’s. Their whole family was full of laughter, and I dearly miss those who have gone on to Heaven.

Aunt Ruth was a talented musician who could play any instrument she picked up, which was a favorite memory of her daughter Shirley’s. Shirley loved her mom’s talent in both music and art, and she was so proud of her mom. I had no idea Aunt Ruth was so gifted until we visited Shirley and Shorty after Uncle Jim passed away. Shirley showed us some of Aunt Ruth’s paintings. Sadly, many of Aunt Ruth’s belongings were lost in a fire that destroyed the home she had shared with Uncle Jim. By then, Aunt Ruth had passed, but Uncle Jim still lived there, next door to Shirley and her family. The fire marked the moment it became clear Uncle Jim, who now had Alzheimer’s, needed to move to a nursing home. It was a difficult time for everyone, not just because of the lost pictures, paintings, and instruments, but also because Shirley could no longer visit her dad every day since the nursing home was too far away. Aunt Ruth was also a skilled equestrienne and often raced her horses.

Aunt Ruth passed away much too soon at the age of 66. She had a fast-growing form of cancer, and before any of us could fully process the fact that she had Cancer, she was gone. It was such a heartbreaking time, and we all miss her deeply. She passed away on May 11, 1992, and it’s hard to believe how much time has passed since then. Today would have been her 100th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven, Aunt Ruth. We love and miss you dearly.