Obituary of Ruth Altha Talley

Ruth Altha (Purinton) Talley of Hudson passed away in the peace and comfort of home on December 5, 2013, after a long illness.    Born in Middlebury, Vermont on September 1, 1929, Ruth attended Drake University in Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1950. In Iowa she met and married her husband of 63 years, Richard L. Talley, and with him raised five devoted, independent-thinking children. After several moves, in 1969 the family settled finally in Hudson, Ohio, where Ruth taught grade school art with great zest for 25 years. An ardent disciple of Jesus Christ, she was a parishioner of Christ Church Episcopal of Hudson and for many years offered tireless service to Parish Care.    Preceded in death by parents Elihu and Gladys Purinton, Ruth is survived by her older sister Rachel (Murphy), her husband Richard, and children Mary (Erekson), twins David and Douglas, Joanne (Gsellman), and John, as well as by 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many former students and wonderful friends in the Hudson area. To all who knew her, she was a lover of engaging conversation and good books, Scottish and Highland terriers, the mountains of New England, the Cape Breton seashore, a lingering, crimson sunset, and any number of garden flowers, especially purple irises and blue hydrangeas.   Visitation with the family will take place at 1:00 p.m., with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. and reception immediately following, on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at Christ Church Episcopal at 21 Aurora Street in Hudson, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to Hospice of Western Reserve, which assisted her family in continuing tender home care during her final days.