Jennifer Ruthruff

Jennifer Ruthruff

1949 - 2023

Jennifer 'Jeni' Anne (Meyer) Ruthruff was born on Feb. 6, 1949, in Spokane, Wash. She was raised in Harrington, Wash., graduating from Harrington High School in 1967. For Jeni, nothing was more important than family and tradition. She believed in honoring tradition and keeping family close. She loved to decorate and host huge family gatherings - and she was exceptional at both. It was her special touch and welcoming personality that made a house a home, and a blended family intertwined.

Jeni was a very creative person in many ways. She loved tending to plants and had a passion for creating stunning floral arrangements in her home, and for family and friends' weddings and special events. She and Dave had a beautiful garden in their home in Covington, Wash., where she raised her family. True to character, her home was often a hub for all the neighborhood kids to socialize or use as a pit stop after school before she'd cart them off to soccer practice. Jeni loved soccer, and played for years as a member of the Foggy Bottom Mamas.

Later, Jeni and her husband, Dave, built their dream home in Kona, Hawaii. They shared it openly, spending many winters there with friends and family, creating special memories that will last a lifetime. Her and Dave then moved to Alki Beach in Seattle in 2014. When she wasn't doing something creative, or having people over, she loved enjoying a beautiful sunset on the deck with her pets.

Jeni knew how to have a good time and it was infectious. She was often cracking jokes and instigating friendly competition with hilarious banter. Annual camping trips to Deer Creek and time spent in her hometown were very special to her. Jeni's favorite days were spent hosting family gatherings with the people she loved.

Jeni passed peacefully in her home in West Seattle on Sept. 27, 2023, surrounded by her family, just as she wanted. She is preceded in death by her parents, Vic and Patt Meyer; son, Denny Ruthruff; husband, David Ruthruff; and sister, Kathi Thompson.

She leaves her daughters, Tina (Mahmood) Firoozi, Heather (Justin) Slack, and Kati (Anthony) Dallosto; grandchildren Yasamine and Majid Firoozi, Caroline and Turner Slack, and Meyer and Louis Dallosto; sister Vicki (Jim) Knapp; and beloved pets, Petey and Vixen.

Instead of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Harrington Alumni Association, Seattle Humane Society or Wellspring Family Services.

A memorial service will be held on Sat., Oct. 7th at 11:00am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in West Seattle. A reception will follow at The Hall at Fauntleroy 9131 California Ave SW Seattle, WA 98136. All are welcome.

A graveside service and reception will be held in Harrington on November 4th.