Helen P. Ruyle, beloved and cherished wife of Billie H. Ruyle, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 19, 2008.
Helen was born in Sedro-Woolley, WA on May 31, 1924, the daughter of Wilfred James and Effie Mae Evans Richmyer. Helen was raised in Birdsview and was a graduate of Hamilton High School in 1943.
Helen became the love of Billie’s life when he first met her over 64 years ago. They met on a blind date during the time Billie came from Clinton, Oklahoma to work in the Seattle shipyards. Billie proposed to Helen on their third date. In 1945 Helen, accompanied by her mother, traveled by train to Alexandria, Louisiana to marry Billie on September 13th, just before he was sent to Germany by the U.S. Army. Shortly after Billie returned from the Army in 1946, they settled on the Pinelli Road near Birdsview. There they raised two children on their 90 acre farm where they have resided for the past 60 years.
Helen was a devoted daughter to her parents, a dedicated and loving wife to her husband Billie and a beautiful mother to her children, Gloria Gayle and Verne Arden II. She also embraced her son’s wife, Linda as her own daughter. She adored her grandchildren, Marcus Sean and Devin Arden Nicole and her five great-grandchildren: Rian, Parker, Maxwell, Bella and Izaac. Maxwell preceded Helen in death as did her parents and her siblings, Vernon, Alice, Maxine and Margie.
Helen took pride in being a homemaker and stay-at-home mom. She was always there when her kids came home from school. Her family was the center of her world and she was willing to lay down her life for each and every one if necessary. Family meant everything to her.
Helen was a private person who was thrilled and thankful to wake up every morning in their beautiful log home on the farm. She never had a desire to travel much as she felt that “all she could possibly ever ask for” was right there on the farm with Billie. She took great pleasure and delight in the hummingbirds, goldfinches, chipmunks, rabbits and other wildlife that visited their property. Helen loved rhododendrons and together with Billie they created beautiful rhody gardens and an arboretum. She also loved photographing garden flowers and taking pictures of the changing seasons on the farm. Helen also enjoyed dancing and music and played the accordion and piano. Clark Gable was her favorite movie star.
Very often people’s response upon meeting Helen was “what a sweet person!” She was smart, sensitive, beautiful, quiet and kind-hearted as well as being a strong warrior, battling with cancer off and on for the past 23 years. Helen exhibited remarkable strength, courage, resilience and great determination to live.
With her faithful Billie by her side she was not only able to overcome overwhelming obstacles but also to enjoy life.
Helen was a sweet bright light to those who knew and loved her and a shining example to many of how to conduct their lives with grace, kindness and courage to the very end. Helen is gone but will not be forgotten. Her love is held in our hearts forever.
At Helen’s request no funeral or memorial will be held. Donations in memory of Helen can be made to North Puget Oncology whose care and doctoring extended Helen’s life by several decades. The family is grateful to Dr. Shetabi and his staff for their love and support these past decades to Helen and Billie. The family also wishes to thank the extraordinary staff at the Life Care Center in Sedro-Woolley for all the deep love and care they gave to “their sweet Helen” in her final days.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.