Ruth Christilaw

RUTH J. CHRISTILAW December 19, 1960 - July 24, 2019 Ruth passed away in her home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Born to Leo Allen and Lillian Andersen Jensen on December 19, 1960 in Brigham City, Utah. Ruth was the 6th child of 13 children. She grew up in Brigham City, Utah and graduated from Viewmont High School in 1979. Like her father, Ruth loved nature and was always aspiring to be closer to it. It brought her much comfort and peace throughout her life. Ruth loved to make the most of everyday and truly loved her family and friends. She was known for being the one to look past any of her trials in life and find the potential or positive to every story. Her optimism and faith have been truly inspiring to many. She was young at heart and loved to enjoy the little things. Ruth served many callings in her church and was always very faithful not matter how difficult times were, her faith never wavered. She was always determined to stay positive and never let her illness get her down. Her faith and endurance amazed us all. Ruth went back to college and received her bachelor's Degree in Science Information and Technology and worked for the DDS here in Utah, moving to Vallejo, California in July of 2008 and the Social Security Administration in California, where she retired this year. Ruth has 6 children whom all loved her dearly and were able to be with her in California in her last few days of this courageous battle. We all will truly miss her dearly and our hearts will always have a piece missing. Her grandchildren were her biggest source of joy, she had 8 of them and she aspired to be closer to them and share her love with them as much as she could. Ruth left a lasting positive impression on all who knew her. She was kind, tender-hearted and an extremely proud grandmother. Her legacy will live on to remember and tell her story of faith and endurance positively. She taught us all how to endure with grace and courage and one day at a time mantras. Ruth dedicated her life to being healthy finding happiness and truly savoring every moment. She was a faithful devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she loved anytime or ability to go to the temple. She loved the phone calls and long chats with her sisters and daughters, she relished anytime she could get with them and her friends. She will be forever and sorely missed by all. Surviving are 6 children: Christopher (Ashley) Christilaw; Kimberly (Brandon) Bancroft; Matthew (Jennifer) Christilaw; Katharine Christilaw; Zachary Christilaw; Rebecca Christilaw (Trevor Gentry); 8 grandchildren, Zachary, Riley, Madison, Alaina, Leah, Lilly, Sammantha and Ellie; her mother, Lillian Bradbury; 10 siblings, Esther, Ann, Carrie, Beth, Paul, Miriam, Amy, Joel, Sally and Travis. She was preceded in death by her father, Leo Allen Jensen, two siblings, Cleo and Frank A. Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 2, 2019 at 12 Noon at the Brigham City Central Ward Chapel, 506 South 200 East. You may send condolences to the family at www.gfc-utah.com.