Ruth “Ruthie” Marie Furtado Cole, 86, died October 8, 2011 from Alzheimer’s Disease and a fall that resulted in a broken pelvis.  She had resided at Clare House in Spokane, Washington, for 10 years. She moved to Spokane from Turlock, California, where she lived for more than two decades.

Ruthie was born Oct. 21, 1924, to Florence and Manual Furtado in Santa Clara, California. The oldest of six children, she helped her mother raise her siblings after her father’s death in 1938.  When her mother died in 1981, she became the matriarch of the family.  She married Joseph Lemek in1942, Bill Cole in 1950, and Lee Reece in 1964.

                    Ruthie graduated in 1941 from Lincoln High School in San Jose, California. She worked as a waitress for more than 25 years. Some of her proudest moments came at Harrah’s Dining Room in Lake Tahoe, where she waited on Liberace, Wayne Newton, Don Knotts, and the Mary Kay Trio. She also worked at Scotty Campbell’s in Redwood City, California, where she waited on Mitzi Gaynor and was many patrons’ favorite waitress. She spent many happy moments painting with oils, mostly florals, and created some lovely pieces. She enjoyed music, and one of her favorite songs sums up her life: Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way.”

   Ruthie is survived by her daughter, Joanna (and husband Jim) McPherson of Spokane; grandson Gary Lewis, of Tucson, Arizona; granddaughter, Kathy (and husband Larry) White and great-grandson Joseph White of Boise, Idaho; granddaughter Grace Sinclair of Twin Falls, Idaho; great-granddaughter Brooke Baker of Hailey, Idaho; sister Barbara Haller of Carson City, Nevada; nephew Kenny Daniels of San Jose, California; nephew Danny (and wife Kim) Furtado of Ripon, California; niece Joan (and husband Bob) Fernandez of Manteca, California; and their families. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Donald and LeRoy Furtado, sisters Shirley Smith and Joyce Scission, and her beloved cat Whisper.

   A memorial will be placed online Oct. 12, 2011, at http:/ruth-marie-cole.forevermissed.com. The Neptune Society is in charge of funeral arrangements; her ashes will be scattered at sea. Memorial donations can be sent to: Union Gospel Mission, 1224 E. Trent, Spokane, WA 99202.