Ruth Elaine Martin

Ruth Elaine Martin, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, in San Juan Capistrano, CA. She had recently celebrated 95 and a half years of life and was a joy to those she touched with her warmth, wit and generosity.

Born in Chicago, IL on January 8, 1930, Ruth was the second of two daughters born to William Lytle Lawson and Mae Rose (Javurek) Lawson. Ruth spent her childhood in New York City and Chicago, IL with fond memories of spending summers on the Lawson family farm in Finleyville, PA with her sister, Lois Zabel. She attended the Packard School for Girls in Brooklyn, NY, then John Hay Grade School and Austin High School, both in Chicago, IL. After high school, she studied music performance at Oberlin College and Conservatory in Oberlin, OH, then transferred to University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics specializing in Food Science & Nutrition in June 1952.

While attending University of Arizona, Ruth met her future husband, Paul Edwin Martin. Both were believers in the Christian faith and were involved in their college church group. Paul knew when he first saw Ruth that she was the woman he would marry. They joined in holy matrimony on June 7, 1952, and enjoyed 56 years of marriage and shared 4 children together.

Ruth and Paul lived together in Tucson, AZ, Blythe, CA, and Riverside, CA, during which time eldest daughter Julie was born in 1955. In 1956, Ruth and Paul made Davis, CA their permanent home after accepting positions at University of California, Davis. It was in Davis that they completed their family with daughters Janet and Donna, and son, (James) Matthew.

For 10 years Ruth worked for the State of California. She was the first woman researcher to be hired to join University of California, Davis, Department of Food Science and Technology. She also worked for the Employment Development Department processing disaster unemployment claims and then later for the Department of Forestry, processing claims for forest fire related expenses. Ruth retired in 1992. Retirement years were spent in Davis until 2005, at which time Paul and Ruth moved to Southern California to live closer to family.

Ruth loved spending time with family and friends, playing Bingo and giving gifts to others, especially “See’s Candies.” During college years Ruth played the organ for her church. While raising children in Davis she volunteered at Davis Art Center and Sacramento Community Concert Association. Ruth and Paul were active in “Mariners” couple’s group at Davis Community Church, enjoyed going to ballets and concerts, and playing the card game of bridge with friends. Ruth will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her contagious laugh, her amazing memory and attention to details. Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and as of this past year, great grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Martin, her parents, William and Mae Lawson, her sister, Lois Zabel, and her son, Matthew Martin. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Julie Streufert (Dale) of St Louis, MO, Janet Bower of San Clemente, CA and Donna Klebe (Randy) of Los Angeles, CA; 8 grandchildren, Amy Spitler (Ben), Cara Streufert, Nicole Bower, Andrea Bower, Stewart (Ingrid) Bower, Lauren Bower, Rachel Klebe and Daniel Klebe (fiancée Elisha Tang) and great grandson, Caleb Spitler, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by all. Special thanks to the caring staff and caregivers at Capistrano Senior Living and San Juan Hills Healthcare Center for their excellent care for Ruth.

Visitation will be on Sept 21 from 7pm to 8pm at Smith Funeral Home, 116 D St. in Davis, CA. The funeral service will be on Sept 22 at 12 noon at Davis Community Church, 412 C St., with burial to follow at 2pm at Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Rd. After burial a reception will be held at the church from 3pm to 5pm. Arrangements are being handled by Smith Funeral Home in Davis and Lesneski Mortuary in San Clemente.