Ruth Clarkson Duffy (nee Matson)

                                                             July 30, 1921 – November 7, 2020

              Ruth Clarkson Duffy (nee Matson), born July 30, 1021, died November 7, 2020 at the age of 99.  Ruth was born in Indor, Dalarna, Sweden to Anton and Maria Matson.  At the age of 3, she and her family emigrated to the USA, settling on Vienna Street in San Francisco.  Ruth was the eldest of her two sisters, Margith and Eva. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Ruth had a vivacious personality, always making people around her laugh, feel at ease and feel welcome.  She was proud of being the matriarch of five living generations.  Ruth was a business owner and worked in retail management at various times. She was affiliated with Business and Professional Women, Royal Neighbors of America and Linnea Lodge, Vasa Order of America.  Ruth made many dear friends through her work in these organizations. She and her husband Jim Duffy were also supporters of the San Francisco Symphony. Ruth maintained her close connection with family and friends in Sweden.  Her focus throughout her life has always been her children, family and friends.           

            In 1940, Ruth married William “Ray” Clarkson in Grass Valley. They had two children, Sandra and Bill.  Those years took them to Palo Alto, Virginia, Petaluma, Ukiah, Petaluma again, Fairfield, Santa Rosa and Fairfield again.

            Following Ray’s untimely death, Ruth eventually met and married, Chuck Kohler.  They lived in Napa and Jackson until his death.         

            Ruth returned to live in Napa.  She became involved in, and dedicated to, the Linnea Lodge in Petaluma.  She was active in all their affairs, holding several offices and making many dear friends.  Ruth loved dancing and while in Napa you might find her at Little Switzerland on any given weekend, dancing her socks off. 

            Through Linnea Lodge she met and married James “Jim” Duffy, settling together in Santa Rosa.  Ruth embraced Jim’s family – daughter Barbara (Mark), son Charles, 3 granddaughters and eventually 2 great grandsons – and made them her own.  With Jim, she travelled often to Sweden and England.  They were also able to enjoy other trips, including various places in Europe and the US.

            Ruth made many friends over her life and kept them for life.  She embraced everyone, had kind and wise words to share and made people feel cared about, special, and welcome. She was an important person in so many lives and her lessons and laughter will be remembered. 

            As Ruth’s health began to decline, she again moved to Fairfield to be with her children.  She was also assisted by a caregiver through some of those years.  The family thanks Amalaini Mc Goon for  the calm, patient caring, and caregiving, she provided to Ruth.  During her last 2 plus years of life, Ruth was a resident at Vacaville Convalescent and Rehabilitation, a skilled nursing facility.  Ruth’s family would like to thank VCRC and their staff for the excellent and tender care she received while there.

            Ruth is pre-deceased by her husband William “Ray” Clarkson; her husband Charles “Chuck” Kohler; her husband James Duffy; and her friend and companion Kenneth “Ken” Johnson. She is as also pre-deceased by her parents Anton and Maria Matson; sisters Margith Garloff (Don) and Eva Hebert (Bob); grandsons Scott Franks and Jeff Franks; and her nephews Wayne Garloff, Richard Hebert, David Garloff, Nicole Garloff and Robert “Robbie” Hebert.     

      Ruth is survived by her children Sandra Bowman (Mike) of Fairfield, William “Bill” Ray Clarkson. Jr. (Jeannie), her Duffy children Barbara Vilcsek (Mark), Charles Duffy; grandchildren Kimberly Smith, Phillip Clarkson, Hilary Warner (Jonathan), Patty Vilcsek-Delgadillo (Eduardo), Becky George (Rich), Karen Marie Vilcsek (Travis Corkery); great grandchildren Megan Smith (Brandon Schmidt) and Chase Smith (Nikki Jones) Grayson George, Hugo George; and great-great grandchildren Jake Smith , Addison Smith and Silas Jones.  She is also survived by her dearly loved cousins (here and in Sweden), her treasured nieces and nephews, ,and many cherished friends.

            Should you wish make a memorial donation in honor of Ruth, the family suggests The Fischer Center for Alzheimer’s Research, FDR Station, P.O. Box 220, New York, NY 10150 (or via their website (alzinfo.org); or on the GatheringUs website; or to your preferred worthy cause. 

            There will be a virtual (Zoom) Celebration of Life for Ruth Saturday, December 12th at 11 AM.  For more information please visit GatheringUs, at: Bit.ly/RuthDuffy. There you can share a memory now and to join in Ruth’s Celebration on December 12th.  Burial will be private. 

                                          Click here to view the Slideshow for Ruth C. Duffy