Ruth Mary Waits passed away January 12th, 2024 at ProCare Hospice in Las Vegas, NV after a brief illness. A private memorial service will be held at a future date in Hawaii. Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth's name to Blue Mountain Humane Society of Walla Walla, WA at Donate - Blue Mountain Humane Society | Animal Welfare in Walla Walla, WA or by mail to 7 East George Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Ruth was born on May 25, 1939 in Sydney, Australia. She moved to the USA in her late teenage years and met her husband, Charles Arlo Waits, as he was being discharged from the Navy in San Diego, CA. On August 21, 1959, Ruth and Charles married in Seattle, Washington where they had settled. In 1972 they moved to Walla, Walla, WA. After Charles passed in 2012, Ruth relocated back to Seattle, WA and then moved in 2018 to Las Vegas, NV, both moves were to be near her family. Ruth was a lifelong homemaker and a devoted mother, including to her many 'furchildren' over the years. Ruth often referred to herself as a 'domestic goddess' and was admired for her outstanding cooking and entertaining skills. Ruth did not drive, so until her mid 70's she was a daily bicycle rider which kept her in fantastic physical condition. 2009 was a particularly special year as she and Charlie celebrated 50 years of marriage commemorated with a vow renewal ceremony on the beach in Maui, Hawaii, surrounded by their family and close friends. Charles and Ruth were married for almost 53 years before Charles' passing. Ruth is often described by those who knew her as a 'true original,' unique and very special. Her amazing zest for life, sense of humor and her positivity and kindness was infectious and truly touched everyone who encountered her. She will be missed by all. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Diana Lynn Reese, and son-in-law Joseph Edward Reese of Las Vegas, NV and her sons-in-law, Michael Raymond Jinkens, Donald W. Potter and Tung Cao, all of Las Vegas, NV; a sister-in-law, Ingrid Curtis of Bundaberg, Australia, brother-in-law Jerry Waits and his wife Robbie in Pioneer, LA, and brother-in-law Robert Waits and his wife Shirley in Little Rock, AR, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, in 2012, and one beloved brother, Wayne Curtis of Bundaberg, Australia, along with two sisters-in-law, Nell Curtis of Oak Grove, LA and Billie Gunderman of Eau Claire, WI, and her parents-in-law, Tillis and Ottis Waits of Pioneer, LA . Ruth's family wishes to acknowledge the skilled care provided by St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus, over the remaining weeks of her life, as well as ProCare Hospice. 'Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.' ---- Emily Dickinson 'And then I heard the angel say, 'She's with you every day.' ---- Unknown