Ruth D'Amico

Ruth D’Amico peacefully passed away in Cheyenne, Wyo. on Dec. 18.

The Wyoming native was born April 4, 1924 to John and Alma Christensen in Newcastle, Wyo. She was the couple’s third child, following her only brother, Earl, sister Angie, and preceding her youngest sister, Elise.

Ruth was raised on the family ranch on Soldier Creek, between Four Corners and Sundance, Wyo. The Christensen children began their education in a one-room schoolhouse on the family ranch. Ever the innovator, when Ruth was faced with the prospect of walking through Wyoming’s notorious snow drifts she opted instead to cross-country ski to school.

She traded in her skis to attend New Castle High School then followed her sister to the University of Wyoming. In 1941 she earned a degree in home economics with emphasis in nutrition and went on to Saint Louis, Mo. to further her education in dietetics.

After completing school in Saint Louis, Ruth returned to Wyoming and kicked off her career in Casper as an in hospital dietician. She went on to Gillette where she was a home demonstration agent. It was there she would meet her future husband, John D’Amico, an engineer for the Wyoming Highway Department. The couple was married in her hometown of Newcastle, Nov. 6, 1948 and shared 55 years together.

Ruth raised two children, Chris and Ann, who stood as her most cherished accomplishment. She was an skilled multi-tasker, juggling motherhood, a full-time career, and a full social calendar where she would actively and positively contribute to her community. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, an active member of the Women’s Civic League where she held the office of President, and a long time member in the C.U. Chapter of PEO.

She was adamant that adversity, failures, or life’s challenges would not corrupt her attitude and positive outlook on life. Her “rose colored glasses” and magnetic personality stands as her life lesson for everyone fortunate enough to have met her, and helped usher those closest to her through some of life’s signature struggles.

She will be remembered for her eternal optimism, master entertaining technique, unwavering friendship, and life long love affair with fudge. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, two sisters, husband, and daughter.

Ruth demands that no one cries in her absence, and that the entirety of her Christmas Sweater collection be given to suitable caretakers. So her surviving family will be holding a tear-free celebration of life at Trinity Methodist Church in Denver, Colo. on Sunday, Jan. 6th at 2 p.m. followed by an internment at her family cemetery in Newcastle this June.

In lieu of flowers Ruth has requested donations be made to her granddaughter’s nonprofit, Wy’s Rides, which is launching a coup d’état over pediatric wheelchairs, or PEO and their continuing education fund for working mothers.