JoAnn Ruffin

Our mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt and friend, JoAnn Ruffin, 88 years old, was a long-time resident of Moses Lake, Washington. She passed away November 17th, 2024, at Columbia Crest Center in Moses Lake, Washington. Her family was by her side at the time of her passing. Mom was born October 8, 1936, in Wenatchee, Washington at St. Anthony’s Hospital to Vivian & Tomas Jackson. She lived in Wenatchee & Cashmere until the family relocated to Ephrata, Washington. In 1954, she graduated from Ephrata High School. She worked as a caregiver until she joined the Army on December 7th, 1955. She completed Basic Training at Anniston, Alabama. In October of 1956, she was stationed in Arlington, Virginia in the Army Security Agency. She worked as a Teletype Operator, where she met Richard Ruffin. They were married on December 15, 1956. Mom chose to take an honorable discharge to be able to relocate with dad to Germany. Together, they had 4 children – Dave, Scott, Darla and Mike. Mom was a stay-at-home mom for many years. She worked at JC Penney’s as a sales and office clerk. Later, she worked for Nalley’s, American Potato Company and Hallmark Cards. She loved music. She always had her radio going day and night. She loved walking, dancing, bowling, and watching her favorite teams – the Seattle Mariners and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. You could find her in the evenings playing Dominoes, Mexican Train or cards with her friends. Mom had recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. To say it was a shock was an understatement. During her care at Deaconess Hospital and Columbia Crest Center she made sure to tell all that “It’s not ok, but it’s gonna be alright.” Mom would also say that “life is way too short, if there is something you really, really want to do in life and it won’t turn your life upside down – you need to do it.” Mom is survived by her children – Dave (Dolly), Scott, Darla (Paul) & Mike. Her sister Karen Heilman & her dearest cousins Donna Campbell, and Judy Petrik. She had 10 grandchildren – Pat Ruffin (Deanna), Travis Ruffin (Summer), Allison Ruffin, Eric Whitaker (Kandice) Jennifer Adams (Hope), Kevin Whitaker (Amanda), Adrian Hernandez (Dianna), Elijah Mast, Oksana Ruffin and Natasha Ruffin and 15 great grandchildren, and 2 great - great grandchildren who she dearly loved and many nieces & nephews. Mom was preceded in death by her husband; Richard Ruffin, her parents; Vivian & Tom Jackson, her brothers Fred & Randy Jackson. We would like to take this time to thank the staff at Columbia Crest Center & Assured Hospice for the amazing care that she received. A special thank you to her granddaughter Jennifer Adams for taking such amazing care of her and giving her so many memories to take with her in such a short time. Service will be held, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 10:00 am at Moses Lake First Church - Nazarene. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to Bright Focus Foundation for Macular Degeneration Disease Research or Lilac Services for the Blind.

JoAnn Ruffin

October 8, 1936 - November 17, 2024