Memorial to woman who died on US trip
African classroom to be built in teacher’s memory
THE family of a Scots teacher who died while hiking in the US are to build a school classroom in her memory in Africa.
Ruth Ross, 57, was overcome by soaring temperatures while on a hiking trip in Palm Springs, California, with her 60-year-old husband Chris.
The couple, of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, were on the first day of their holiday when tragedy struck.
The body of Mrs Ross, a home economics teacher who was deputy head at Airdrie Academy, is expected to be flown home in a few days and her funeral is to be held next week.
The mother-of-three’s family have already put in place plans for a lasting memorial to the popular teacher.
Mrs Ross’s parents were the founders of the Vision Africa charity, which works to help poor and disadvantaged children in Kenya.
Her daughter Deborah Kimathi, 34, helps run the charity. The family is now spearheading a campaign to have a classroom in honour of Mrs Ross and has appealed for donations in lieu of flowers at her funeral.
Her husband Chris said: “We are looking to be able to provide some sort of fitting memorial to Ruth’s life and, much as she loved flowers, we thought it would be more precious to see people’s love and generosity reflected in something more lasting.
“Ruth was deeply involved with Vision Africa, the charity for which Debs is field director in Kenya, and the charity is currently planning to relocate and expand its main base in Nairobi.
“Part of this process would be to build new and better classrooms for our Seed of Hope operations, one of which would be for Fashion and Textiles.
“Ruth’s roots were as a Home Economics teacher.
“We know Ruth would be delighted if people would, in lieu of sending flowers to the funeral, donate to this fund so that such a classroom could be used to improve the lives of destitute young people in Kenya now and into the future.”
The couple set off at around 7.30am on June 29 on the South Lykken Trail but Mr Ross called emergency services less than three hours later after they were left too exhausted to walk any further.
A helicopter was scrambled to the area to airlift mother-of-three Mrs Ross to hospital but she died after arrival.
Mr Ross had earlier paid tribute to his wife and said he had lost his “soulmate”.
Mr Ross said: “I have lost my loving, wonderful, funny, brilliant wife.
“Ruth has not only been a wonderful wife, friend and soulmate to me, but the most incredible mother to our kids and grandma to five lovely grandchildren.”
Bob Dowty, the chairman of Vision Africa, said: “Ruth’s family would like to build a tangible legacy to celebrate her life and her commitment to Vision Africa.
“As such they have created a fundraising page on Virgin Money Giving.
“Any amount will be greatly appreciated and will make a practical and visible legacy with which to remember Ruth’s passion for our work.” THE Queen led the nation in marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – watching a flypast of historic aircraft.
Spitfires and Hurricanes, joined by modern-day Typhoon jets, flew over Buckingham Palace. The monarch later joined veterans at the RAF Club for a lunch where the Duke of Edinburgh was caught on camera apparently swearing.
Philip appeared to tell a photographer in footage filmed during a pre-lunch reception “Just take the f*****g picture.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.