Ruth Talarico

July 29, 1925 - March 15, 2012

Our beautiful mother, Ruth Yolanda Talarico, 86, passed peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 15. Mama Ruth was born on July 29, 1925 in Portland, the fifth of six children to Teresa and Peter De Luca. Raised in Portland, she attended Our Lady of Sorrows and Franklin High. She worked as a telephone operator and in 1947, married Oscar Talarico. They had six rambunctious kids and were happily married for 25 years until his sudden passing in January of 1974. Mama Ruth was the best kind of mother-loving us unconditionally. She was much stronger than she ever gave her herself credit for a wonderful cook who loved poker, bingo, the slots and being around lots of people, especially her family. She was our number one fan, happiest when cheering us on at school and sporting events even though she had gone back to work at Kienow's Bakery. She was humorously stubborn about many things and we were constantly entertained by and much admired her selective memory and hearing skills. Ruth is survived by her six children, Tom, Rose (Don), Nancy (Jim), Lou (Fred), Linda (Diane) and Lisa (Britt); much loved grandchildren; great-grandchildren; her brother, Ray De Luca; as well as, many wonderful nieces; nephews; and friends. A Mass and celebration of her life will be held on Friday, March 23 at 12 Noon @ St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Milwaukie.