Ruth Bagnall Gonzalez

With aching hearts we mourn the loss of Ruth Gonzalez, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Ruth was born February 9, 1953 and her life was a study in persistence and achievement. She graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University and pursued her doctorate in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.

Ruth was a school psychologist for the Douglas County School District for almost two decades. Ruth loved working with kids, supporting their needs in school and in her private practice so that they might live full, productive lives.

She was able to fulfill a dream of being a professor, teaching psychology and mentoring students for seven years at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR.

Psychology was Ruth’s passion, she traveled to Ukraine which (in 1991) declared itself independent from the Soviet Union. She taught psychology to its college students, helping shed psychology’s light to this burgeoning nation.

Ruth was crafty; needlepoint was a favorite. She was so smitten; she’d create needlepoint patterns for children and pull together full-on needlepoint kits to give to them. Ruth was also an avid reader who enjoyed a wide variety of authors and genres. She cherished discussing books with her own children, grandson, and siblings. Books were a favored present from Ruth.

Ruth is survived by her son, Dan, her grandson, Dane, and her siblings, Linda, David, Becky, and Amy plus numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by daughter, Diana, and her parents.