Kirkland woman still impresses at 106 years old

Published 4:46 pm Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Ruth Hamby recently celebrated her 106th birthday with friends and family at Kirkland Emeritus. She was serenaded by the Redmond Senior Choir, visited by Trusty, the miniature pony, and received a phone call from the mayor of her hometown of Earlington, KY where Oct. 20 is officially designated as Ruth Hamby Day.

Hamby was born on Oct. 20, 1906 in the little town of Earlington. She graduated from Earlington High School and was a member of the high school girls’ basketball team despite her short stature!

Hamby married Earl Hamby, also from Earlington, in 1927, and together they bought their first house for $200. Hamby her husband moved to Vancouver, Wash. in 1941, following Earl’s oldest brother who got him a job at the Kaiser shipyards.

Earl continued working for Kaiser during WWII, and Hamby helped christen one of the naval war ships that was built there. In 1946, when she was 40 years old, her only son, Jack, was born. In 1952, she began working for the Vancouver School District and enjoyed a 20-year career there before her retirement in 1972.

Throughout her life, Hamby has been an enthusiastic participant in many bridge groups and women’s organizations.