Our mother wrote her own Obituary below years ago so it would be done correctly.

Ruth Denise Utzinger Hope died February 29, 2024. She was born to Grover & Hazel Wallace Utzinger in the Astoria, OR family home Sunday evening, May 24, 1925; Sunday's Child. During that time her mother watched the Hope family move into their home across the street.

Ruth and James L. Hope, Jr. were married August 20, 1946, in Astoria at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. She was preceded in death June 22, 2011, by her much loved and loving husband James, her parents, brothers Carl, Robert & Grover Utzinger and infant son Stuart John Hope.

She is survived by sons Gregory R. Hope, James L. Hope III, daughters Marietta Zell· (Leonard), Madeleine Lewis (Guy), grandchildren Amy Hope-Cristando, Drew Lewis, Caitlin McKee, Connor Lewis and step-grandson Doug Shelton, 7 great grandchildren & many nieces and nephews.

At the time James & Ruth were designing their cemetery monument the discussion turned to what would be engraved. Guy & Connor (age 12) said Grandma would like "I don't care for this." She was delighted and greatly amused by what she considered an insightful inside joke.

Among many things "she didn't care for" were long winded and embellished obituaries extolling the virtues and accomplishments of the deceased. Like her mother, she didn't suffer fools gladly. She loved Astoria and referred to it as home. She knows her family knew the kind of wife, mother & friend she was and what her activities, interests and charities were. She believed God, family, friends and all who cared about and loved her knew her faults, foibles, good works & virtues.

May she rest in peace.

A Rosary prayer service will be held Friday, March 8th at 10:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 :00 a.m. at St. Mary's (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) Catholic Church in Albany.

Remembrances may be made to the Albany Regional Museum 136 Lyon St. Albany, OR 97321 or the Clatsop County Historical Society, 714 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103