Ruth Hanna McCormick

Ruth Hanna McCormick of Seattle passed away on February 5, 2026, at the age of 97. She had a long and rich life. She travelled extensively, loved the theater and film, was a fine educator, and was an advocate for women. She had friends all over the world.

She was something of an organizational genius, something her children all remember and all learned from her. She organized a two-week, 110-mile backpack trip around Mt. Rainier in 1967. She kept track of all four of her children’s activities and made sure we practiced our piano lessons, all while attending University.

She obtained her Bachelor’s degree and then her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington. She eventually joined the faculty at Edmonds Community College, where she ran the Women’s programs until her retirement. She helped many women move from their roles as homemakers into the workplace. One time, celebrating “Alice Doesn’t” Day at ECC, the President asked what he could do to help. Ruth promptly set him up to pour tea and serve cookies!

Travel was a foremost passion. She visited all of Europe, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Turkey, Greece, Thailand, Morocco, Hong Kong, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Kenya. She was thrilled to see the Taj Mahal. One memorable year, she traded jobs, homes, bank accounts, families, and cats with a woman from Melbourne. In her 70s, she went to China to teach in an ECC exchange program.

A lover of theater, she took her grandchildren to see plays as soon as they could sit long enough. She loved film and volunteered at the Seattle International Film Festival, as well as visiting the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

She also volunteered at the Greenwood Senior Center, leading a “Talk Time” class for non-English speakers for over ten years. This earned her more friends and contacts overseas. She started the very successful GSC annual costume jewelry sale.

She moved to Aljoya Thornton Place in her late 80s and made many friends. She loved the cultural offerings, the intellectual stimulation, and the outings. She attended lectures, play readings, music recitals, poetry club, and much more.

Ruth is survived by her brother Roger, her four children, Roger, Bruce, Robbie, and Barbara, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Her lively presence will be missed. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on April 12th at Aljoya Thornton Place. Memorial gifts can be made to the Greenwood Senior Center.