Melinda Louise Ruud

Melinda Louise Ruud passed away on October 8, 2013. She was born to Jack and Mary Lou Dickey in 1947. The third oldest of six, she was strong and supportive from the very beginning. She spent her early childhood in Issaquah. Her family moved closer into Seattle and she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1965. She took secret courses and worked in that field for several years. During that time she met a kind, handsome, and funny young man, Dave, walking down the aisle at her best friends wedding. She married David Ruud in 1967. They moved to Chicago so he could attend baking school. Then they moved back to Mountlake Terrace where they started a family. She had two children and they moved to a larger home in Lynnwood where she spent the rest of her life and created one of the most beautiful gardens. She worked at Lynndale Elementary as a para-educator on up to Office Manager. She was loved by the children, teachers, and staff. She survived two fights with breast cancer. In 2007 she was diagnosed with bladder cancer. She survived a major surgery, an infection, and harsh chemotherapy but the fight was not over. In October of 2008 she was told she had 9 months to a year and to focus on quality vs. quantity of life. She didnt give up on either. She found Dr. Cochran at Bastyr and lived 5 more years. She spent her last week in the loving care of Al and Lucy at Happy Days along with many visits by family and friends. The evening before she passed it was arranged to have a harpist play at her bedside. A few were there to witness her joy with the music. She passed the next morning. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, David Ruud; her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Stephen Kuo; and her son, Christopher Ruud, and her grandsons Mateo and Malcolm Kuo. She also leaves behind her siblings: Jack Dickey, Rosemary Finegan, David Dickey, Marguerite Cooper, and Janet Miller; along with 9 nieces and 10 grand nieces and nephews. Her kindness and generosity lives on in all those she touched with words and actions. Her memorial service will be held at Edmonds Lutheran Church on Sunday, October 20th at 1:30 pm. Flowers and donations to Edmonds Lutheran Church daycare, or Baystr University are welcome. Please no plants. Announcement: color: #333333 Flowers and donations to Edmonds Lutheran Church daycare, or Baystr University are welcome. Please no plants.