Ruth Ann Boone, 59, passed away surrounded by family and friends on May 29, 2026. She was the kind of person who brightened each life she touched—warm, kind, and fiercely devoted to the people she loved.
Ruth was born September 22, 1966, in Bakersfield, California, the oldest daughter in a family of nine children, to Nancy and Darrel Fidler. She loved trips with her family and visiting her grandparents. When she was eight years old, the family moved to Lindon, and later to Spanish Fork. She graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1984 and nannied in New York and Alabama before returning to Provo.
She met Samuel Boone while working at All a Dollar in Provo and soon learned he was also in her singles ward. They married in 1994 and were sealed to each other and to their daughter Annika in the Salt Lake Temple in 1997. She supported Samuel with his demanding schedule as a railroader and made their home beautiful. Ruth and Samuel loved to travel on cross-country and cross-border road trips and made it to 48 states together. From their first date watching Les Misérables, they enjoyed going to the theatre together. Most of all, they loved spending time with their daughter—babysitters were a rarity in the Boone household.
Ruth was the most devoted of mothers. Her life’s work was to ensure Annika had every opportunity available. She would sit patiently in a rocking chair as little Annika brought her every book on her bookshelf and handed them to her one by one, allowing Ruth to read a single page before Annika took it away and handed her the next book. She was there to help with every spelling test, every book report, every science fair, gymnastics meet, school play, or figure skating competition. In Ruth’s mind, Annika could do anything. All that Annika has done, she has done because of her angel mother.
Ruth also dearly loved her many nieces and nephews, whether they were raiding her makeup cabinet or stowing away in her car for a sleepover. She especially cared for her nephew Shavanaux, who she loved as if he were her own son.
Ruth was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings centered on children, including nursery, activity days, and Webelos. But her favorites were always her Sunbeams, who she taught for nearly thirty years. She began the year by bringing the Creation to life, even coming to church early to place glow in the dark stars on the ceiling to teach them about Heavenly Father placing the stars in the firmament. She concluded the year by leading the children in a nativity pageant, to which she brought a passion unmatched by some Broadway directors. And she loved to watch her Sunbeams growing up, joining Young Men’s and Young Women’s, and serving missions. As one of Ruth’s dearest friends said, “Once you had her as a Sunbeam teacher, she loved you for life!”
Ruth was truly a grandmother to Shavanaux’s four children, Avienda, Myrah, Ronnie, and Kazimier. She was the center of her family and loved bringing them together for family trips, taking them on adventures to playgrounds and trampoline parks, cooking with them, and cuddling up for movie nights. Nothing gave her more joy than watching their eyes light up when she revealed a Disneyland or Disney cruise surprise, or when they ran up to her with a giant hug. In her final days, she experienced the joy of being grandmother to a newborn, spending seven precious weeks with her little Sammy before Heavenly Father called her home.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Samuel; her daughter Annika, son-in-law Austin, and their son Samuel; her nephew Shavanaux Rogers, his wife Tanysha and their children Avienda, Myrah, Ronnie, and Kazimier; her siblings Lewelyn, David (Angel), Samuel (Barbara), Jonathan (Cherry), Mary Elizabeth, and Steven (Kira); and many other dear family members and friends. She was welcomed on the other side by her parents, Nancy and Darrel, and her siblings, Mark and Rebecca.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 11543 South Keystone Drive, South Jordan, Utah. Viewings will be held at the same location on Friday, June 5, from 6 to 8 pm, and on Saturday, June 6, from 9 to 10:30 am. The interment will take place at Spanish Fork Cemetery following the funeral.
Those who would like to attend services virtually may click "watch services."