Oct. 23, 1945-April 17, 2024
Ruth E. “Ruthie” Napolitan , age 78, of Page, Arizona, passed away on April 17, 2024, in St. George. She was born on Oct. 23, 1945, in Lamar, Colorado, to Karl “Charles” Wilhelm Oswald and Mildred Victoria Phelps.
Ruth spent the first two years of her life on a farm in Prowers County, Colorado. Her father passed away in 1946 and the family moved to the town of Wiley, Colorado, the next year where she spent the rest of her childhood. She excelled in scholastics, especially math, earning a spot on the National Honor Society. She spent time in several clubs including home economics and pep club. She was a loving supporter of her family, often babysitting nieces and nephews and always being there when they needed her the most. She graduated from high school in 1963 and stayed to attend Lamar Jr. College. She moved to Denver in 1965 and worked for a stamp purchase exchange company. She participated on the Colorado Women’s bowling championship team in 1967.
Ruth gave birth to son Travis (Belinda) Napolitan in 1970. he met future husband Lou Napolitan in 1973. They moved to Page in 1975 and married in 1978, at which time Lou adopted Travis as his own and she gained six stepchildren: Teresa Ojeda, Lauro Kinney, Dalia (Alfredo) Estrada, Armondo (Noelia) Ojeda, Isola Hernandez and Anthony (Anita) Napolitan. Ruth and Lou had four more children: Vicki (Carl) Allen, John (Leslie) Napolitan, Patrick (Chantel) Napolitan, Philip (Lesa) Napolitan and special addition Shawn Priest. She started working for H&R Block of Page in 1987 and became franchise owner in 1997 where she enjoyed serving the community and having the opportunity to create so many special relationships with her clientele. Ruth retired in November o2023.
Ruth enjoyed many hobbies including all things Elvis, crocheting, baking cakes and other sweets, coin collecting, reading books, doing puzzles, playing cards, marbles, Bingo and watching sports (Go Broncos). She was the No. 1 fan of her children and grandchildren in all that they did. She was a huge supporter of Sand Devil athletics and donated to multiple charities. She loved spoiling her grandchildren Trista, Cody, Tyson, Cole, Shelby, Alexus, Naomy, Madison, Ethan, Bryce, Courtney and great-grandchild Emersyn. Her favorite holiday was Christmas.
She was survived by five siblings, 11 children, 36 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Louis A. Napolitan in August 2020, her parents and six siblings as well as other extended family members.
The family would like to thank dear friends Jan Boehme, Suzanne Carter, Carla Corn, Joann Mann, Helen Blackgoat and many others for the amazing support and memories shared. Thank you to the following families for a lifetime of love and memories: The Schafers, the LaFortunes, the Glasses, the Priests, the Moores, the Dickensons, the Hesses, the Cheeks, the Johnsons, the Blacks and the Blackgoats. Additional thanks to the healthcare providers at Page Hospital and St. George Regional Hospital. And lastly, thanks to the entire community of Page and surrounding area for everything they have meant to Ruthie and her family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Memorial Foundation or Travis Mills Foundation.
A memorial service will be held with limited capacity at the Page Elks Lodge on May 19, 2024. Doors will open at 1 p.m. for anyone who would like to pay their respects followed by services at 2 p.m. Please bring printed pictures, short stories and other small items to add to the memory table for all to share.
Final funeral services to be held in Wiley, Colorado, July 27, 2024, at 9 a.m.
Family and friends are invited to click here to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.