Ruth Beebe Hill, age 102, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2015 at her home on San Juan Island, Wash.

Ruth Florette was born on April 26, 1913 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, the daughter of Herman C. and Flora Mae (Frantz) Beebe, and sister to Robert G. Beebe. On October 17, 1940, Ruth married Dr. Burroughs Reid Hill in Denver, Colo., and they had one son, Burroughs Reid Hill, Jr.

Ruth resided on San Juan Island for over 35 years. She was a founding member and active for many years in the San Juan Islands Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Ruth was actively involved with the Ayn Rand Institute, having mentored under Ayn Rand while living in California. She was world famous for her bestselling novel, “Hanta Yo,” published in 1979.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father in 1972 and mother in 1949; brother, Robert; husband, Burroughs Reid in 1982; and son, Burroughs Reid, Jr. on Nov. 7, 2014. She is survived by her grandchildren, Alexis Ruth Kiselyk (Hill), Tiffany Leah Hill, and Elizabeth Anne Hill; great-grandchildren, Zachary Reid Kiselyk and Jacob Sebastian Kiselyk; and nephew, Tom Hill of California.

At her request, Ruth was cremated. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2015, from 1-4 p.m., at her home in Friday Harbor. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes, Wash. and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Ruth, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

—Family of Ruth Beebe Hill