In Memoriam – March 2022

Each month, Tri Delta publishes In Memoriam, highlighting the lives of some of our Distinguished Deltas and longtime volunteers and sharing a full list of sisters who have recently passed away. Below is the In Memoriam for March 2022.

Shirley Ruble, Whitman 

Shirley Ruble passed away peacefully Jan. 3, 2022. Shirley grew up in Edison, Washington, and her acceptance into Whitman College was a proud achievement. There she joined Tri Delta’s Theta Omicron Chapter. 

Shirley started her career teaching at several universities across the country. She would go on to have a second career with the Seattle Law Department after studying law and earning an MBA. She authored six books, dozens of articles and poems and a textbook. She was a recipient of the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference Non-fiction Award and the Alpha Sigma Nu National Book Award. She was most proud of being named a Whitman College Alumna of Merit. 

She was recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award by George W. Bush and Barack Obama for devoting hundreds of hours to the AARP’s Fraud Fighters. 

The Walla Walla Union Bulletin Marque published several of her articles, but she is probably best remembered for organizing the renovation of Pioneer Park’s Wedding Fountain. Walla Walla City leaders honored her with a ribbon cutting ceremony in July 2021. 

Jeanne Boland Schmidt, Northwestern 

Actor Jeanne Boland Schmidt died on March 29, 2021, at the age of 95. Jeanne studied acting at Northwestern University where she joined Tri Delta’s Upsilon Chapter. After graduation she landed roles in several early television dramas and soap operas, including “The Edge of Night.” 

Later, Jeanne worked for New York City Mayor Ed Koch as an event planner. She also opened an art gallery and used it to organize benefits for artists with AIDS. At age 75, she went to Haiti as a volunteer with a medical mission. At age 84, she moved to Provincetown, Massachusetts, where she became an active volunteer in the community, including at PAAM, the Tennessee Williams Festival and Provincetown Book Festival. 

If you would like to make a donation to Tri Delta’s Foundation in memory of Shirley Ruble, Jean Boland Schmidt or another sister who has passed away, click here.  

In Memoriam

This In Memoriam list includes sisters who were reported as deceased to Executive Office March 1–31, 2022. If you know of a sister who has passed away, please report her information to Executive Office by emailing memberrecords@trideltaeo.org.