Ruth Lyn Kelly, 87

Ruth Lyn Kelly of Coeur d’Alene died peacefully in her sleep at the home of her daughter, Karen Swanstrom, in Post Falls on Feb. 17. She was 87.

Ruth was born in 1937 to Dr. Frederick and Gwendolyn Volk of Attica, N.Y. After briefly pursuing journalism at Syracuse University, she married George R. Kelly and raised two children, Karen and Bruce. The family lived in Spokane, Wash.; Salina, Kan.; Great Falls, Mont.; and multiple places in California before finally settling in Coeur d’Alene in 1984. 

During the 1970s and ’80s, Ruth worked as a bank teller and travel agent in California. Her last place of employment was The Inkwell in Coeur d’Alene. 

In her younger years, her passions included cooking, gardening and houseplants in macramé hangers. In later years, she spent mornings reading her Bible and Christian devotionals and joined her daughter, Karen, on several women’s retreats at Cannon Beach, Ore. Always fond of the outdoors, she enjoyed camping and long walks in the woods during much of her life.

Blessed with excellent health well into her 80s, Ruth credited her longevity to many years of aerobic exercise, vigorous walks well into middle age and a fairly sensible diet. Though she was famously fond of cookies, ice cream and other sweet treats. 

Ruth is survived by daughter Karen Swanstrom and son Bruce Kelly of Post Falls, as well as five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.