Ruth Irvin Hartley Kenna — August 5, 1912 - May 5, 2005

Ruth Irvin Hartley Kenna, 92, died May 5, in Portland. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, at Redmond’s Community Presbyterian Church, 529 NW 19th Street, Redmond, with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.

Mrs. Kenna was born in Redmond August 5, 1912, to Chad and Nell Irvin. She grew up in the craftsman bungalow style home designed and built by her father. The home at 417 NW 7th Street is part of Redmond’s Heritage Walk. She attended Redmond schools graduating in a class of 45 from RHS, then attended the University of Oregon, graduating with honors in 1934. During her summers she was the first life guard at Redmond’s first swimming pool, “a mud hole scooped out by the American Legion.”

She began her teaching career in Coquille and Eugene. She returned to Redmond and was hired by Rex Putnam (former principal) to teach at Redmond High School.

While there, she organized and founded Panther Scratches, the school newspaper.

She was active in the Community Presbyterian Church, Olla Podrida, and was a Charter Member of PEO, Chapter AQ.

She served on the Redmond School Board and was appointed by Governor Tom McCall to serve on the 6-member State Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, working with Dr. Dale Parnell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

She was elected vice chair and served on the commission until her retirement.

She resigned her teaching position to marry and raise her family. In 1959 she returned to teaching. She taught reading and language arts and was the advisor to Tuck Talk at John Tuck School until her retirement in 1974.

She and her husband Jack were part of the group who developed the first Redmond golf course. She was an avid golfer, first learning the game in a college physical education class.

She had a life-long curiosity and love of nature, leading many memorable outings and field trips on the many trails of her beloved Central Oregon.

She was still “teaching” in her outdoor classroom well into her 80s. Many children and friends first learned about wildflowers, birds, rocks and history hiking with Ruth.

She had a summer home in Sisters from 1984 to 1994, then lived here full-time until she moved back to Redmond and subsequently to Portland.

Mrs. Kenna was preceded in death by her parents and sister Grace, son Robert, first husband Jack Hartley, and second husband W.P. “Bill” Kenna. She is survived by Ruthann Hartley, daughter; Bobby Harris, son-in-law; Ryan Hartley Harris, grandson; Donald I. Hartley, son; Eileen and Timothy Kenna, step-children; Daniel, Todd, and Glen Kenna, grandsons; Ruth Hartley Doudiet, sister-in-law; three nieces and two nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Presbyterian Church Youth Activities, P.O. Box 1689, Redmond, Oregon 97756 in honor of her life-long commitment to education.