Ruth Ellouise Neil Orr, 96, died March 2, 2009, in Hoquiam.

Ruth Ellouise Neil, was born July 12, 1912, at the family farm in Oak Harbor to Roy J. and Ruby (McCrohan) Neil.

She was the second of four children. Her early life was spent on Whidbey Island at Oak Harbor, Deception Pass and Freeland, and she graduated from Langley High School.

She told stories of growing up on Whidbey where her favorite pastimes were reading, sewing and walking on the beach. Her family was very much a part of the history of the area. Her grandfather, James Neil, built the huge barn that still stands in Oak Harbor and later her father ran a car ferry at Deception Pass before the bridge was built. She had fond memories of her close-knit family and country life on the island.

In 1929, she met Thorval Bernard Orr of Clinton. They were married on Nov. 10, 1930, and made their first home in Freeland. They later lived in Kennydale and then Shelton.

Thorval was a logger and Ruth was a homemaker and mother of two children. She was known for her great sense of humor and her wonderful talent in knitting, cooking and baking. Her cookie jar was always full.

The Orrs built a home on Blue Ox Beach on Hood Canal and lived there until Mr. Orr’s health necessitated a move closer to family. The Orrs celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 1985, at their home in Hoquiam.

Ruth is survived by her son, James Orr and his wife, Donna of Lander, Wyo.; her granddaughter, Debbie Seward and her husband, Brad of Aberdeen, her granddaughter, Jennifer Cooper of Olympia; and her great-grandchildren, Jeremy Stutesman and Samantha Seward.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Thorval; her daughter, Sharon; her parents, Roy and Ruby Neil; her sister, MinaBelle Becker and her brothers, James and Robert Neil.

A memorial service will be held on Whidbey Island at a later date with inurnment in the Bayview Cemetery in Langley, Washington.

Cremation arrangements are by Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.

Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.