Ruth B. Gilman died peacefully at the age of 89 in Redding, CA in the early hours of Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Ruth is survived by her three children, Paul Gilman of Redding; Kay Gilman of Walnut Creek and Steve Gilman of Katy, TX, as well as a half-brother, Barry Ford, of New York. She has several grandchildren and loving relatives in Northern California, Seattle and Canada. She also leaves numerous friends in the Bay Area, Grass Valley and elsewhere who will remember her and her gracious spirit fondly.

She was born in March of 1921 in Marysville, CA. Ruth was the oldest daughter of Henry (Harry) Bradwell and Catherine M. Bradwell of Marysville, CA. She attended parochial school through her childhood and graduated from the College of Notre Dame (high school), Marysville in 1939. Ruth married Al Gilman in 1943, while he was on leave, before completing his U.S. army service in Ipswich, England.

During the 1950's and 60's Ruth managed an active social life and raised her family while helping her husband build his long career with the Bank of America. In the 1960's Ruth and Al became proficient golfers, joining several Bay Area clubs during their working lives. Through her retirement and well into her 70's, she enjoyed the Scottish sport and her friends at Alta Sierra Country Club. Ruth's creative outlets included music and gardening. She often sang in the church choir and enjoyed giving family mini concerts on her home organ in Grass Valley. Even the wildlife in Grass Valley could not stain her green thumb; irises, apparently distasteful to the local deer, flourished in her garden.

With a beautiful smile and a kind word, she was always willing to lend a hand to friends and family. She was active in social and charitable groups throughout her life, doing her stint as Girl Scout troop leader in the Bay Area. She gave her time in charitable work and during her husband's difficult illness in the 1990's, Ruth cared for him with patience, love and respect.

The family is indebted to the kind nurses and nurse-assistants at Canyonwood Nursing Home in Redding who attended Ruth during her last years.

There will be a viewing on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Hooper and Weaver Mortuary 459 Hollow Way, Nevada City, from 9 -11 a.m., funeral services at 11 a.m. and graveside services at 1 p.m.

Flowers are welcomed and should be sent to Hooper and Weaver Mortuary, Nevada City, (530) 265-2429.