In Loving Memory of Ruth Ghosn: 1934-2022

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Ruth Evelyn Ghosn, 88, of Morton, Washington, passed away Oct. 9, 2022, at Heritage House Morton Assisted Living. Ruth was born March 17, 1934, in Worcester, Massachusetts to Roland and Ruth Nelson. She was one of five children who lost their mother at a very young age. Ruth lived with relatives in Massachusetts until age 15 when she moved with them to Chehalis, Washington. She enrolled in Chehalis High School as a sophomore, graduating in 1951. 

In 1952, Ruth married Glen Brooks who was a logger. Together they went on to purchase a tree farm in Morton, Washington, where they raised their seven children. Ruth loved the rural setting, enjoying the orchard, farm animals, wildlife, gardening, trees and birds. Being a mother and raising her family were Ruth’s greatest accomplishments. She always welcomed visitors and most often had a homemade pie or cookies ready to share. Losing Glen in 1997 was a very sad time in her life. Ruth’s faith in God was strong and she was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morton. 

Eventually, Ruth met Paul Ghosn, whom she married in 2001, and moved to Mossyrock, Washington. She joined Paul in being an active member of the St. Yves Mission and enjoyed meeting Paul’s family and friends. During their 21 year marriage, they enjoyed the opportunity of visiting her family in Massachusetts. Throughout the time of those visits Ruth was able to learn more about her early American family history of immigrants dating back to 1653 at Deerfield, Massachusetts. She enjoyed seeing siblings, their growing families, and meeting new relatives for the first time. 

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Glen Brooks; parents Ruth and Roland Nelson; brothers Roland and David Nelson; and her sister Judith Nelson. 

Survivors include her husband Paul Ghosn; daughters Donna (Denny) Bell, Julie (Jim) VanCleve, Barbara (Dave) Ralston, Teresa McKernan and Kathleen Brooks; sons Jeffrey (Courtney) Brooks and John Brooks; and brother Russell Nelson, as well as 18 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Ruth’s faith in God resonated through her actions. She was sincere, sensible, compassionate to those having difficulty, accepting of anything and anyone. She will be very dearly missed. 

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2022, at St. Francis Xavier Mission in Toledo, with a burial in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. A luncheon provided by the family will follow at St. Francis Xavier Mission Hall. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brown Mortuary Service, Morton. 

Contributions can be made to Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, ATTN: Fund Development Office, 100 23rd Ave. S., Seattle, Washington, 98144, ccsww.org; or Visiting Nurses (Assured Hospice) of Centralia, 1821 Cooks Hill Road, Suite 201, Centralia, Washington, 98531. 

To view the obituary, please go to chronline.com/obituaries.