Ruth Ellen Reed
August 28, 1928 - February 22, 2021 Resident of Pebble Beach
Ruth Reed passed away peacefully on Monday, February 22 at the age of 92. She was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the daughter of Paul Albert Carlson and Hazel T. McDonald Carlson.
She left Iowa as a young woman and moved to San Francisco. She met her future husband, Air Force officer Roger Reed, while visiting her brother in Tucson, Arizona. She married Roger in 1951, and devoted herself to raising their growing family during the frequent moves necessitated by her husband’s Air Force career. The family settled on the Monterey Peninsula in 1961 and made their home in Pebble Beach, where she lived for the next sixty years.
She was a devoted homemaker as well as an active clubwoman and volunteer. In the course of her life she was a member of Monterey History and Art Association (serving as a Colton Hall hostess), Elks, American Legion, Daughters of the Nile, Eastern Star, Questers, St. Mary’s Knitting Guild, the Navy League, the Retired Officers Association Auxiliary, and more. She was renowned for her cheerful smile, outgoing personality, genuine and intentional interest in others, and her special ‘secret recipe’ chocolate chip cookies.
A woman of deep and abiding faith, Ruth was a member of St. Mary’s by the Sea Church in Pacific Grove for more than 50 years, and was deeply involved in parish activities. She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar guild and also worked tirelessly in the church thrift shop, kitchen, and memorial guild. She crocheted prayer shawls and baby blankets for those in need of comfort and support.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Roger, her parents, and her brother, Robert Carlson. She is survived by her daughter Sharron Frey and son-in-law Randy, her son Roger Livingston-Reed and daughter-in-law Mary, and her son Robert Reed and daughter-in-law Cheryl; grandsons Jason Frey (Aumee), Daniel Livingston-Reed (Elizabeth), Brandon Livingston-Reed, and granddaughter Holly Reed Abplanalp (Chris);
She was ‘Grandma-Great’ to her great-grandchildren: Kenzi Frey, Kaden Frey, Jax Abplanalp, and Rebekah Livingston-Reed.
Her family is grateful to the VNA, Pacific Cancer Care, and the staff at Community Hospital who were kind and caring at the end of her life.
Ruth will be interred with her beloved husband in a private family service. Services are being kept small and private at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 146 Twelfth Street, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.