April 15, 1925 - February 8, 2022
Ruth S. Willett, 96 passed peacefully in Ojai on February 8 and is now with her beloved husband, Richard. She was born at home in Ojai in 1925; her family had settled there in 1922. She saw a lot of changes in the city over the years. As a child, she would walk some distance to school with her siblings. She was a graduate of Nordhoff High School and never left home until she met the love of her life, Richard, who was a true gentleman citrus rancher in Ventura. They married in 1962 and worked the citrus ranch together for 31 years until Richard's passing in 1994. She worked the ranch for some time before selling it and moving back to Ojai to care for her sister.
Over her long and wonderful life, she traveled around the world with her husband. She loved her yard, planting and caring for beautiful flowers; she would spend many hours almost daily there. The ranch home was listed as a historical site by the City of San Buenaventura Conservancy, a land preservation group.
Ruth loved the Lord and was very supportive of her churches, Ventura Missionary Church and the Ojai Valley Baptist Church, where she worshiped through the years making many new friends. She was a very giving person and loved her family and friends and would help anyone in need.
She is survived by her nieces: Margaret Dewees (Dennis), of Lemoore, and Barbara Tucker (Orville), of Ojai; and many great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Richard Willett; her parents: Simon and Marie Zarate; eight brothers and sisters: Alora, Asonat, Raquel, Precilla, Rebecca, Samuel, Abraham, and Joseph; and her great nephew, Arnold.
The family wishes to thank her loving caregivers; they were exceptional in their care for her: Mary, Shanice, Chelsea, Rebecca, Jessica, and Alison. Ruth will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours to be held Thursday evening, February 17, 2022 from 3 to 7pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura. Graveside funeral services will be held Friday February 18, 2022 at 11:00 am in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura with the officiant Reverend Troy Avery of Ojai Valley Baptist Church.