Matriarch Was Proud of Her Family
By Ruth Lepper

Ruth Richardson McIntosh Sept. 29, 1915 - April 23, 2007 Photo courtesy of McIntosh Family

Ruth McIntosh was the proud matriarch of one of the oldest families in Ramona, a position she cherished until her death on April 23 at the age of 91.

"To me, she was just a great friend," said her son, Ralph McIntosh. "She was very supportive. She loved her family very much...She really was a good woman and proud of her family."

She was born Ruth Rosella Richardson on Sept. 29, 1915. She was 10 when her family moved to Ramona from Wenatchee, Wash., the third of seven children in her family. Her sister, Dottie McIntosh, lives in Ramona.

The Richardson sisters married McIntosh brothers - Ruth to her high school sweetheart, Douglas McIntosh, and later Dottie to Donald McIntosh. The McIntosh family has been in Ramona since 1872 when Daniel McIntosh arrived here, originally from Nova Scotia.

Ruth and Douglas were married in 1934, soon after they graduated from Ramona High School. Six generations of the McIntosh family have attended Ramona High School.

"They were married for 68 years," reflected their son.

Ruth worked at the Pioneer Market during the 21 years her husband was the proprietor. Prior to re-opening the Pioneer Market in 1950, Douglas McIntosh was in partnership with Harold Stephens in another grocery store in Ramona. Douglas later worked for the County of San Diego in the Department of Public Works.

Ruth also worked as a waitress at the Kenilworth Inn in Ramona.

"Whenever that came up, she always said she was the best waitress there," Ralph said.

In later years, she worked at a local yardage store.

"That's what kept her busy," said her daughter-in-law, Joan McIntosh. "She loved to sew and made all her own clothes. She was sewing until a year or so ago."

She served as a judge for many 4-H Club sewing competitions at the Junior Livestock Fair in Ramona.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the First Congregational Church in Ramona.

She saw many changes take place in Ramona through the years, but "liked the old days better," her son said. She kept in close contact with her friends of many years.

Ruth McIntosh was predeceased by her young son, Hubert, who died in 1952 when he was 9.

In addition to her son and sister, survivors include her daughter, Donna Fuhrman, of Oregon. She also is survived by 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held on May 1. She is buried in Nuevo Memory Gardens in Ramona, next to her husband.