Born in Custer, Michigan, on March 24, 1904, she moved to northwest Washington and married Clarance F. Hughbanks in 1928. Her new husband’s family had helped to establish Ballard, and he owned the community’s first service station. She helped to lead many Ballard area school and service groups, and her son, C. David Hughbanks, has played a major role in Seattle’s civic affairs since serving on the staff of the 1962 World’s Fair.
Ruth Hughbanks died on December 30, 2001.