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Ruth Baier McBride Melhorn, 90

Ruth Baier McBride Melhorn passed away at home on Sept. 18, 2018, in Post Falls, Idaho, at the age of 90. She is survived by her children, Chris of Post Falls, Becky of Bowie, Md., Carl of Camarillo, Calif., Peter of Post Falls and Bruce of Bellingham, Wash.; and is preceded in death by her son, Robert Edward Jr., who died in 1975. Ruth is also survived by 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Ruth was born in 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Helen and Ernest Baier. She married Robert Edward Melhorn in 1948 at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Md. She lived in Virginia, Maryland and Hawaii before settling in California for much of her life.

Ruth graduated with a degree in liberal studies from UC Santa Barbara and earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from California Lutheran University. She was employed as a schoolteacher and reading specialist in the Rio School District of California, at El Rio School. There, she earned accolades as the Rio School District’s Teacher of the Year in 1979, and served as president of the Ventura County Reading Association. She was a mentor teacher, led countless workshops for teachers and served on California state committees as an expert in language arts.

Ruth is credited in a book called “The Ojai Valley” by Patricia L. Fry, about the history of that California city, as the founder of Ojai’s Fourth of July Independence Day Celebration. Ruth started this celebration as a way to honor our nation. She is proud that her “little parade” has been ongoing since its inception in 1962. Ruth served numerous times as grand marshal of the Ojai Parade.

Ruth was also an elementary school teacher in both Maryland and Virginia from 1991 to 2003, and was still actively teaching in the classroom as a spry 72-year-old. She enjoyed reading, travel and time spent with friends and family.

In moving to Post Falls in 2005 to join her daughter, Ruth became active in St. George’s Catholic Church, serving as a member of the Holy Family Catholic School Board in Coeur d’Alene. Ruth was a member of the Legion of Mary, taught RCIA classes, helped establish the library, was on the faith formation team, served communion to the housebound, was a lector at Mass on Sunday and was involved as a member of St. George’s quilting community.

Ruth was also a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Memorial services for Ruth are 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, at St. George’s Catholic Church in Post Falls, Idaho, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to make a donation to St. George’s Parish Nurse Ministry in care of Rosemary McDougall, at 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls, ID 83854. Please visit Ruth’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.