Celebrating Ruthe Lee
Celebrating Ruthe Lee
By: Sharon Guinn & Pam Miller
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 272 times
0 responses 0 comments On June 20, the Tehachapi Gandy Dancers Square Dance Club celebrated the 86th birthday of “golden dancer” Ruthe Lee with a surprise birthday party.
Ruthe has been square dancing for over 35 years and has helped many new dancers to learn the calls and join in the fun of the dance. She started dancing with the Gandy Dancers when she moved to Tehachapi three years ago.
Her birthday this year was special because last November her doctor told her that she may have a major heart attack at any time. Her decision to have triple coronary artery bypass surgery at the age of 85 has allowed her to return to many of the activities she previously enjoyed.
Ruthe’s 86th birthday party was an opportunity for her square dance friends to celebrate her recovery from an intensive surgery, and to also rejoice with her as she returned to full time dancing.
Ruthe was born in Iowa in 1921. As a child growing up on a farm during the depression, she developed a strong work ethic. While her three children were young she helped her mother-in-law run a Foster's Freeze and when her first husband died at 46, she taught nursery school in Santa Monica.
She remarried in her forties and moved to Canyon Lake, a community much like Bear Valley Springs. She and her husband built the eleventh house in that gated community and over the next 30 years helped it to grow. They were instrumental in starting the community church, the square dance group, the women's club and just four years ago she worked to get the Senior Center in place.
In 2002, Ruthe's daughter, Pam Miller, and her partner Dolores Grayson, moved to Bear Valley Springs. Ruthe has always been adventurous and since her second husband had died in 1993, she sold her Canyon Lake home and resettled in BVS within the year. She brought her companion of 13 years, an American Eskimo dog, Casper, with her. Until he died a few months ago, she could be seen walking Casper around the BVS Market and equestrian center everyday.
Her daughter thought she would slow down once she moved away from old friends and commitments, but that was not to happen. Instead, within a few months of moving to BVS she joined the local square dance club and the BVS church.
Through her lifetime she has enjoyed painting, leatherwork, sewing and crafts, so next she joined the Crafty Ladies. Although she participates in doing some of the craft projects with them, and even teaching a craft or two to the group, she admits she meets with them mostly to talk and hear about what is happening in the valley! You can find her at the BVS church, the Tehachapi Farmers’ Market, the concerts in the park, the fourth of July celebrations, riding on The Gandy Dancer's float in the Mountain Festival parade, and many other local events.
Always wanting to learn new things, Ruthe joined the equestrian club for the potlucks and to hear the speakers at the monthly meetings. She is an avid reader, still washes her own car and can be seen outdoors cutting the weeds on her property. She used to play golf and frequently lunches at the Mulligan room where she looks longingly at the practice holes outside the restaurant. Don't be surprised if one day you see her playing there!
Happy Birthday Ruthe. Those of us who know and love you look forward to sharing your 87th birthday with you in 2008.
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