Anna "Ruth" Hunt Radford

Anna “Ruth” Hunt Radford, age 86, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2017 at Treasure Coast Hospice in Fort Pierce, FL. She was born January 21, 1931, in Pingree, ND, to Ralph and Hazel Hunt. Ruth was the youngest of four daughters; she adored her sisters, Dorothy Jones, Lou Miller and Donna Houghtalin. Following her graduation from Menlo (IA) High School, Ruth began her career as a stewardess for Capital Airlines. While on duty, she met her future husband, James William Radford, Jr., who she married in 1959. They began their lives together in Hastings, MI, where they had three sons, James William Radford III (Cindy), Steven Charles Radford (Nina) and Thomas Hunt Radford (Sarah). Her nephew David Black was a frequent addition to her raucous brood of boys. She and Jim shared a love for fishing that took their family on many grand adventures: deep sea fishing in Acapulco with great friends Jack and Katy Wood, trout fishing in the Ozarks and bass fishing at their cottage on Gun Lake, Michigan and later in Cadillac, MI. Ruth loved to entertain guests at their cottage at Gun Lake including Jim’s sister Doris and her husband Bud; their children Rad and Randee Hansen were the best water skiing duo on Gun Lake and inspired many in the family to follow their lead. After Jim passed away in 1996, Ruth moved to Osceola Iowa where she spent time with her sisters Lou and Dot, and got to know her many nieces and nephews who lived in the area. She traded cold winters for Florida sunshine (or Texas heat!) during the last 15 years of her life. Ruth attracted good friends wherever she went and Port St. Lucie was no exception. She loved to entertain in her cozy patio home where you might be lucky enough to find her deviled eggs, potato salad or fried chicken. As her health declined, she was blessed with the unwavering devotion of her best friend Mary Lala and her nieces Cindy Lite (and husband Alan) as well as Maria Balbo (and husband Pete). Ruth treasured her grandchildren dearly and loved to connect with them through her iPad: Nicole Leigh Radford, Jacquelyn Shea Radford, Steven Charles Radford, Jr, Christina Rose Radford, Victoria Ann Radford and Valerie Hunt Radford. She was known to brag about her own dogs and grand-dogs as well; they all knew she was always a softy for a treat.

A graveside service followed by a reception will be held in Hastings, MI on January 13, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, Ruth would love to know that contributions can be made to any of the following: The COPD Foundation, https://www.copdfoundation.org , The Humane Society, Humane Society or Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation,
https://treasurehealth.org/foundation/ .