Patricia Ann Ruf

A memorial service for Patricia Ann Ruf, 71, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mountain View Mortuary, 425 Stoker Ave., in Reno. A reception will follow.

Mrs. Ruf died April 28, 2005, at home after a prolonged illness. She was born in Dalton, Mass., to Dan and Francis Carroll.

She graduated from Dalton High School in 1952. After high school, she graduated in 1956 from Tufts University in Boston, from which she received her teaching degree. She competed on the synchronized swim team while at Tufts.

She married Robert Henry Ruf. Jr. in 1956, and they were married for 48 years.

In 1956, they moved to Reno, where she became a teacher with the Washoe County School District.

In 1968, the Ruf family moved to Somalia, where she taught at the American School until 1969. Upon returning to Reno, she resumed teaching and continued her education, receiving a master's degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

In 1974, the family opened Greenhouse Garden Center. She focused on the Christmas Shop and the Gift Shop. During the 1980s, she reopened, ran, and managed Arlington Gardens Nursery in Reno. She retired from Greenhouse Garden Center in 1994.

She had an extensive collection of antique clothing and hat pins, which she restored and sold at antique car swap meets. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling in the family motorhome, assisted her husband making honey and wine, and co-authored a book on Victorian lighting. She enjoyed reading to and being read to by her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Among her survivors are her son David of Carson City; son and daughter-in-law Brian and Tami of Reno; two grandsons; two granddaughters; sisters Ellen of Massachusetts and Jean of New York; and brother, Dan.

A private family burial service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery following the reception.