Ruth Washington, 77, of Lexington, Virginia, peacefully passed away December 7, 2012, at the Centra Hospice of the Hills in Lynchburg.

She was born May 6, 1935, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to the late Clifford and Gertrude Lloyd.

She was married to her loyal and devoted husband, Harold Washington, September 5, 1954, and they were inseparable for 58 years.

Ruth loved life and lived it to the fullest. She and Hal hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1987, and forever after were known as "trail angels" for their hospitality to the through-hikers that passed near their home in Lexington, greeting them on the trail with her homemade cookies, sandwiches and beer.

Skilled in crafts of all sorts, Ruth was an active member of the Lexington Quilters Guild, and over the years she made many beautiful quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was passionate in her politics, and roused herself from her sickbed to vote in the last election.

Ruth was a generous and giving soul, always thinking first of her husband, her family, friends, and people she didn't even know. Busy to the end, her last project was knitting stocking caps for other patients.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Harold; sons, Douglas and Glen; daughter-in-law, Mary; five grandchildren, Theresa, Christopher, Brian, Patrick, and John; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Maximillian, Grace, and Gianna; and sister, Barbara McQuaide.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Stanley Lloyd.

A funeral and celebration of her life will be held 2 p.m. Monday, December 10, 2012, at the Ben Salem Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Larry Miles officiating.

Arrangements are being handled by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington.