Ruth Sheppard Lugton

Ruthie was born March 27, 1930, to Ernest Albert and Ruth Blasser Sheppard in Boston MA. She graduated from Needham High School and went to the University of Massachusetts for two years. She married her high school sweetheart, Ralph Lugton, on August 15, 1950, in Needham, MA where they lived for most of their lives. Ruthie was a regional credit manager for Rust Craft Greeting Cards for several years before moving to Utah in 1985. In 1976 Ralph and Ruthie became members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of the happiest days of their lives. She served in many positions in the Church including Relief Society President in two different wards, early morning Seminary teacher, Relief Society counselor, teacher in Sunday School and Relief Society. In 1992-1993 she and Ralph served a mission as the office couple in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission for 15 months. One of her favorite callings was being an Ordinance Worker in the Provo Temple for 14 years and 4 months.

Ruthie loved cats and all aspects of nature―plants, minerals, birds, animals, and camping―interests she shared with Ralph and their sons. Camping trips to Maine each summer were fondly anticipated by her entire family. She was particularly fond of birds and took great pride in identifying all the local birds by sight and sound. When Ralph and Ruthie moved to Heber, they custom built a new home to include a greenhouse for Ruthie. This was her pride and joy where she grew about 600 seedlings each spring. She and Ralph enjoyed their rockhound hobby traveling to many interesting places to collect minerals. They made beautiful costume jewelry and enjoyed selling both jewelry and specimens at Rock and Gem Shows. In Heber they had a booth at the County Fair for many years. They also had an opportunity to teach about minerals to Rock Clubs, Cub Scouts, and Larry Ward’s earth science classes at their home. Ruthie always loved to read, and later in life avidly read as many as a dozen books a month. She was also the family genealogist and traced both families back many generations. Together, she and Ralph enjoyed traveling, photography, and vacationing with their children.

Ruthie is survived by three sons, Russell (Ellie) Warren, NH; Roger (Patty) Shingletown, CA; Ronald, Fall River Mills, CA; grandson Shaun Lugton, Plymouth, NH; step grandson, Ryan Shanna, step great granddaughter, Kayla Bessette, both of Warren, NH; cousin, David Brown of Dalton, MA; and nephew Paul Troop of Oakdale, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents and her dear husband, Ralph.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 26, at 11:00 AM in the Daniel 2nd Ward, 2285 South Daniel Road, Daniel, Utah. Viewing will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Paws for Life Utah, 89 N. 100 E. Heber City, Utah 84032, or Tracy Aviary, 589 E. 200 Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105.

Per the family’s wishes, please wear a mask.

Burial will be in the Heber Cemetery under the direction of Probst Family Funerals. Condolences may be shared online at www.ProbstFamilyFunerals.com