SANDY, UT – Ruth Thomas Deschamps, 90, passed away of natural causes June 7, 2002 in Sandy, Utah.

She was born July 8, 1911 in St. John, ID, the second of ten children of David Price and Mary Pierce Thomas. After graduation from Malad High School, she attended Albion State Normal and taught in the elementary grades at Preston and St. John, ID for five years.

Ruth married John Phenol Deschamps on May 21, 1937. The marriage was later solemnized in the Mesa, AZ Temple, April 29, 1950.

The newlyweds moved to southern California shortly after their marriage, eventually making their home in Burbank, where they raised their three children.

Their home was open to out of state visitors who loved Ruth’s hospitality and guidance through the famous tourist spots. Ruth went back to teaching and was a marvel with special education children.

She was widowed in 1963 and continued teaching for ten years before moving to Utah to be nearer her children and grandchildren.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving faithfully in positions in Relief Society, Mutual, Primary, single adults while in the Studio City and Burbank wards in California and in the Murray and Sandy wards in Utah.

She enjoyed her years as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple. She touched hundreds of lives for good as she sought out those in need of friendship. She was generous with her time, money and attention with all ages – from the busy group of senior “Go Go Girls” to her 12 fun-loving grandchildren and their friends; from family and friends in Malad to young families in her neighborhood.

She arranged trips to local events and sights, even around the world tours for herself and others, going places constantly. Everything was more fun with her involvement.

Ruth wrote elaborate journals, personal histories and a clever autobiography. She has been a joy and a blessing in our lives.

She is survived by her three children: daughter, Mary Kaye (Dennis) Doyle of Sandy, UT; and sons, John (Jenny) of Agana, Guam; and Gordon (Julie) of Payson, UT; by 12 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; a sister Lucille (Bob) Keene of Bountiful, UT and brothers, Boyd Thomas of Malad and Tom Thomas of Soda Springs, ID.

Services will be held June 11, 2002 in the Horsley Funeral Home, Malad.