Lasting Memories

Ruth Budlong Sothern
March 5, 1918-Aug. 6, 2014
Palo Alto, California
Submitted by Nancy S. Mueller

Ruth Budlong Sothern passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, 2014, at the age of 96 in Palo Alto.

Ruth was born March 5, 1918, to Wanton Sweet Budlong and Elka Garling Budlong in the Town of Colonie, New York.

She graduated from Nott Terrace High School, June 23, 1936. After one year at Russell Sage College from 1936 to 37, she was forced to leave due to the death of her mother. She graduated from Mildred Elley School on June 29, 1939. She is a member of Delta Gamma Delta sorority. At the late age of 57, she received her Bachelor of Arts in May 25, 1975, from the College of New Rochelle.

She lent her talents to a position as secretary at The General Electric Co. in Schenectady, New York; Shaker High School in Latham, New York; and Manufacturer's Hanover Trust in New York City.

She was married in 1942 to Jackson L. Sothern, deceased, in 1994, and they lived most of their life in Latham, New York, until moving to Palo Alto, California, in 1983. Ruth became a dedicated volunteer and advocate for wildlife, nature and preservation of the environment through the Environmental Volunteers.

Ruth is survived by her two loving daughters, Nancy Sothern Mueller of Palo Alto, California, and Cynthia Budlong Sothern of Ruxton, Maryland; two grandchildren, Gregory Sothern Mueller of Matthews, North Carolina, and Carin Mueller Rollins of Palo Alto, California; and five great-grandchildren.