Obituary

Ruth Douglass Woods

Obituary

Ruth Douglass Woods, 96, died on Wednesday (Feb. 1, 2012) at Newton Medical Center.

She was born on July 14, 1915, in Newton, to Jacob and Lulu (Wright) Regier. They preceded her in death.

Ruth was an independent woman who, after graduating from Bethel College, postponed her marriage to Andy so she could attend KU to earn a master’s degree in piano and organ. Her love of family was matched by her love of music. Throughout her life, she worked at various Newton churches as an organist, mainly at Bethel College Mennonite Church. Ruth was a member of the Newton Themian Club and Treble Clef Club. She was still playing the piano daily to “keep my fingers working.” 

She mastered email and corresponded with a large circle of family and friends, checking her inbox three times a day. Her strength of character and love of life will be an ongoing legacy to her family.

Ruth is survived by her loving family: son, Scott Douglass of Fleetwood, N.C.; daughter, Jane Toubassi and her husband, Elias of Tucson, Ariz.; grandchildren, Jamil Toubassi (Lesli) of Wichita, Garrick (Vija) of Loa Altos, Calif., Gillian Hill (Ken) of Randalman, N.C., and Bradley Douglass (Brandi) of Fleetwood, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Bryson and Liam Toubassi of Wichita, and Austin Douglass of Fleetwood, N.C. Also surviving are Bob Woods (Wanda) of Franklin, Tenn., Nancy Staley (Rod) and daughters, Marcelyn and Allison of Mesa, Ariz., David Wells (Wanda), Doug Wells (Jessie) and Kathy Koster (Kevin), all of Wichita, and their families. Ruth also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Andrew Douglass; second husband, Vernon Woods; son, Matthew Douglass; brother, Max Regier; and sister, Mary Lou Stirling.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Newton First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. James W. Anderson presiding.  Private family graveside will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Bethel College Development Office, Ruth Woods Organ Scholarship, 300 E. 27th St., North Newton, KS 67117, or Petersen Funeral Home of Newton.