Ruth Allen Barker
June 14, 1930-Nov. 6, 2025
Cupertino, California
Ruth Mary Allen Barker passed away peacefully at age 95, supported by her family’s love, and with her beloved dog, Bucky, by her side. Born in San Francisco to Mary Beulah Gibbons Allen and James Hamilton Allen, she attended Miss Burke’s School for Girls through 12th grade. Ruth had one sister, Margery (pre-deceased) and one brother, Wyatt. Summers were spent at the family ranch in Napa Valley, where her mother taught the children to ride horses and shoot occasional rattlesnakes, as well at the family cabin at Huntington Lake. One hundred years ago, Ruth’s maternal grandparents established a cabin at the lake, which is in the Sierra National Forest. There, Ruth developed a lifelong appreciation for the mountains, learning how to fly fish, sail, hike, camp, chop wood, and identify every tree, flora, and fauna along the trail.
Ruth went to Stanford University and met Arthur Barker, who caught the sparkle of her eye. They were married in 1950, had three children -- Peggy, Neill, and Kathy – and built a home in Woodside in 1960 where they raised their children. Ruth returned to college earning a master’s degree in Speech Pathology. Her 25-year career in the Menlo Park Elementary School District as a Speech Therapist touched many children’s lives.
Ruth was a courageous trailblazer. She was a Girl Scout leader, organized annual backpack trips in the high Sierras, and was a mentor to family and young friends. At 60, she planned and completed a 210-mile backpack journey on the John Muir trail. As life-long learners, she and Art enjoyed many Elder Hostel tours. They later joined friends to circumnavigate the entire globe in an extensive journey. The Century Club of California (CCC) was an especially important part of Ruth’s life. In 1888, Ruth’s maternal grandmother was a founding member of this social club for San Francisco women. Ruth held every office in the club, including President, and was instrumental in preserving and archiving club history. Ruth and Art were also avid supporters of the San Francisco Symphony.
Ruth and Art envisioned large, annual family gatherings at the lake cabin, which needed transformation as the family grew. They led a five-year remodeling project with most family members contributing to the effort. At age 85, Ruth became a stonemason and personally built a rock foundation wall 6 feet tall, as well as a large rock wall around the cabin’s fireplace. Just five years later, the Creek Fire of September 2020 completely destroyed the beloved family cabin, along with 40 nearby cabins. After the initial shock, Ruth bounced back and acquired a new cabin, to continue and cherish her memories made at the lake.
Ruth is survived by her brother, Wyatt (Alisanne) Allen; children: Margaret, Neill (Pamela), and Kathleen (Ken Hayes), seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Tags: teacher/educator
