Ruth B Gilchrist

Ruth B. Snow Gilchrist (West Valley City, Utah) left this earthly home on Monday, February 8, 2021, surrounded by her loving family at the home of her daughter, Janet, in Plain City, Utah. Ruth valiantly fought a long battle with Mesothelioma and during this most trying time, she exemplified to all her strong will to live and her enduring spirit.

Ruth was born on October 26, 1933. She was the second of three children in the Snow family. Growing up, Ruth attended school in Mapleton and Spanish Fork, Utah, and then attended college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It was while attending BYU and at a church dance that Ruth met her future husband, John Sneddon Gilchrist. She married her best friend in the Salt Lake Temple on September 18, 1953. Ruth and John were married for 67 years.

While here on this earth, Ruth answered to the names of Sweetheart, Mom, Nana, and “Moogie B”, which was her life-long nickname from childhood. As a young girl, Ruth could not pronounce her name, “Ruth B”. Instead, her attempt came out as “Moogie B”, and so Moogie B it remained.

As a young lady, Ruth had a great imagination. She would make up plays and have her friends act out each part. Ruth also loved to go to town to buy candy then return to sell it to her friends at inflated prices.

Growing up in Spanish Fork, Ema Jean, Ruth, and Gordon had the best childhood. Ruth spent many hours playing “telephone operator” and when she grew up, Ruth did indeed work as a telephone operator supporting John while he earned his university degree. Ruth enjoyed this job very much because she loved to talk to new friends!

Ruth was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had the opportunity to serve in many church positions including Relief Society President and Primary President. Ruth worked diligently to fulfill all the callings extended to her.

She also loved to read and was blessed with a job at Deseret Book for ten years. This job brought her great joy because of her access to books. She loved helping customers pick out new books to read; she was well-suited to this task because she was so well-read.

Ruth always wanted a big family. Her wish was granted with a family of six children, thirteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. The greatest joy of Ruth’s life was spending time with her family. Ruth and John were able to have many adventures together and participate in family vacations with their children and grandchildren. She loved to camp in their trailer and spend time at the cabin. Her family was blessed to have a mother and a grandmother who was unconditionally devoted and has left us each with sweet memories of our time together with her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, William Warren and Velma Brems Snow; and her older sister, Ema Jean Snow Christenson.

Ruth is survived by her husband, John Sneddon Gilchrist; her children, John Scott (Debbie, deceased), Randall (Rob), Janet (Mark, deceased), Ann (Barry), David (William, deceased, Michael), and Kathy (Todd). She is also survived by her brother, Gordon Lee Snow (Murriel).

At this time, the family would like to extend their deep thanks and gratitude to her amazing care-takers, John Gilchrist, Janet Willson, Kathy Provost, Janet’s daughters, Molly and Melany, and the staff at IHC Hospice. We are forever in their debt for the care and kindness they extended to Mom.

A small service for immediate family will be held to honor Ruth at McDougal Funeral Home in Taylorsville, Utah. Services will be livestreamed for family and friends at: https://vimeo.com/510792447  Saturday, February 13, 2021, 11:00 a.m.  Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery.

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