Ruth Anna Pinneau

Ruth Anna Lehnhardt Pinneau, lover of people, animals, gardening, and crossword puzzles, passed peacefully at 6:50 am, January 3, 2015, in her Northridge, CA home in the presence of two of her children. Ruth is preceded in death by husband Samuel, survived by their six children, S. Richard Jr, Linda Marie (Urban), Marcia Ruth, Bruce Alexander, James Louis, and Janet Elizabeth, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and brother Jim Lehnhardt.

Born to William Lehnhardt and Elizabeth (Weisser) Lehnhardt on December 2, 1919, on a farm in Garden Grove, CA. Ruth was one of eleven children - six girls and five boys.

She earned her bachelors degree at the University of Redlands, a Masters Degree of Religious Education at Berkeley Divinity School, and pursued graduate studies at the School of Social Work at University of California, Berkeley. Her life’s work as a child welfare worker spanned two counties, thirty years, and the lives of too many children to count.

She will be remembered fondly as mother, friend, sports fanatic, cook, and green thumb who not only healed injuries, but also brought many a plant back to life.

Her years of "retirement" were fully engaged with gardening, reading, family and following youngest daughter’s career in collegiate softball. Ruth was a catcher on her college softball team and daughter Janet followed in her footsteps eventually helping win two National Championships at UCLA with proud mother Ruth cheering on. Ruth and Sam also were fond of travel and camping. Their many trips lead them across the United States often visiting family and friends.

Every December was highlighted by the opportunity to reconnect with her extensive family at the annual Lehnhardt family Christmas party.

As the later years limited her mobility, Ruth found comfort and enjoyment reading, doing crossword puzzles and listening to the ever-present Vin Scully giving the play by play of the Dodger games in the spring and Chick Hearn reporting on the Lakers triumphs in the winter.

Caregivers were an important part of her later life. She would want us to acknowledge the many hours of tender care they lovingly provided that helped make her finals years comfortable and enjoyable.

By the end of her stay on earth, there certainly were many people touched by her generous heart. She will be greatly missed.

Many wonderful memories of Ruth come to mind. Please use the comment section below to add your own personal remembrance.