Ruth Drayton Dodge

Ruth Drayton Dodge passed away peacefully at home on the morning of June 4, 2012. She is survived by her husband Dave, their children Diana, Sallie, and Donald, six grandchildren, one great grandchild, her sisters Bessie Hopkins and Phoebe Strong, many nieces and nephews and others who loved her dearly. Ruth was born on January 15, 1926, in Villanova, PA, to Frederick Rogers Drayton and Ruth Packard Drayton. She attended the Agnes Irwin School and the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. She met Dave Dodge at the Mill Dam Swim Club in Wayne, PA in 1944. They were married on July 6, 1946, and were approaching their 66th anniversary this year. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Wichita, Kansas, and subsequently lived in Denver, Colorado for 28 years, raising Diana, Sallie, and Donald before moving to Bozeman in 1984. Ruth was an artful woman of quick wit, great style, and unfailing courage, ever gracious, albeit strong in her opinions. She had stellar abilities in interior design, working professionally in Denver, and always creating a warm, welcoming elegance in her own home environments. She logged countless miles through Rocky Mountain winter storms, willingly trailered horses, skied, fished and hunted with enthusiasm and skill, and packed way too many wonderful picnic lunches. She is remembered as a favorite aunt, a grandmother who somehow always knew the perfect Christmas present, a mother of enduring faith, a wife of deep commitment, a loving woman, much loved. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Rose Duparry, Avrielle Simoneau, and Tiffany Stromberg who so ably assisted Ruth with kindness and dignity, and to Hospice of Southwest Montana.