Gloria Stepon Ruffle
East Wenatchee, Washington
March 12, 2008

On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, Gloria Stepon Ruffle peacefully went to sleep and didn't wake up. She was born the seventh child of eight to Charles F. and Mary (Petrak) Stepon on August 18, 1925. Gloria was born at St. Anthony's Hospital in Wenatchee, but the family made their home in Quincy, WA. Her father owned a butcher shop and she enjoyed telling stories of helping in the shop with the sawdust floor. Gloria also had plenty of stories about growing up in Quincy with the rabbit roundups, walking to school holding her younger brother Dickie's hand, and what the land looked like before it had water and many people. She graduated from Quincy High School in 1943. She went to business school and has been a member of the Wenatchee Chapter of Mu Gamma Sorority since 1947.

Gloria was introduced to Richard C. Ruffle by her brother, Percy, and they were married on September 9, 1951. The couple made their home in East Wenatchee. Children were regular arrivals in the Ruffle household - Rick in 1952, Lyle in 1953, Larry in 1955, Mavis in 1957, Garnet in 1958, Valerie in 1960, and Tamara in 1962. With seven kids in ten years, Gloria devoted herself to being a mother and homemaker. She was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader for many years, a rock hound who belonged to the Ginkgo Mineral Society, and a devoted member of the Foresters. Gloria was a dedicated blood donor, but when she was forced to stop after a cancer diagonsis, both Lyle and Larry (who hate needles) continued on for her and collectively have donated over 25 gallons. The family had many day trips to go fishing at the Quincy lakes, or looking for arrowheads at Spanish Castle. There always seemed to be a pretty rock or a yard sale that she couldn't pass by. The family took a two week vacation every year, all nine loaded into a station wagon towing a tent trailer. The vacations were to exotic places like Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Mount Rushmore, the Corn Palace, and included visits to Aunt Jenny and Uncle Matt's home in Canada. Evenings on the road would end up with a chapter or two of Rupert Piper, Henry and his dog, Ribsy, Ramona and Beezus. She instilled a deep love of reading in all her children. Gloria always had time for her beloved grandbabies and was available for sports and school functions. She was a great example of love for her family as well as others as a volunteer for many organizations. Gloria loved music and playing the piano at home and with her band, "The Rhythm Makers" that performed at many dances and events throughout the Wenatchee Valley. Rarely did she need to use sheet music. Gloria celebrated holidays by dressing in costumes with bright colors and sparkly jewelry.

She is survived by her children, Richard M. (Joy) of East Wenatchee; Lyle A. (Julie) of Ephrata, WA; Larry C. (Jill) of East Wenatchee; Mavis M. (Ron) Melcher of Ephrata; Garnet S. (Tom) Philleo of Eltopia, WA; Tami L. (Jeff) Zanol of Orondo, WA; one brother, Percy (Lee) Stepon of Ephrata; 16 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren with two on the way; a special niece, Frannie Miller; and a large extended family and many friends. Gloria goes to again be with her husband and daughter Valerie.

A celebration of Gloria's wonderful life will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church, 1601 Fifth Street, Wenatchee. Memorials may be made to: Ovarian Cancer Survivors Foundation, 1355 Beaverhead Road, Helena, MT 59602-7604, or Wenatchee Valley Senior Activities Center, 1312 Maple Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801.