December 19, 1929 - August 19, 2022
Ruth Mary (Gallaher) Leijon peacefully entered her eternal home on Friday, August 19, 2022. She was 92 years old.
With great love she was met by her late husband Carl, her sister Margaret Elizabeth "Betty" (Gallaher) Armond, and countless other family and friends.
Ruth was born and raised in San Francisco to John and Ruth Margaret (Sayler) Gallaher. She was the oldest of three daughters. She was a natural artist, always drawing, sketching, and painting. She became most fond of painting in oils and watercolors. As a young teenager she taught Sunday School classes at St. Francis Episcopal Church, where her family attended services. After graduating from Lowell High School in San Francisco, she attended San Jose State College where she majored in art. Ruth met Carl Peter Leijon of Palo Alto in art class. She and Carl married in 1949 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in San Francisco. They began their family in Avenal, California and moved to San Mateo in 1953. They were among the original parishioners at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in San Mateo where they raised their children, and lovingly served their community and parish.
Ruthie valued friendships, honesty, integrity and respect. Her fondest childhood stories were those of happy family gatherings, mischievous times spent with her sisters, and her love and respect for all life. She brought a gift of peace to everyone around her, with a personal intention that let each know a special place in her heart was just for them. No one was a stranger in her home as she welcomed everyone. She leaves behind a gift of true and sincere kindness, friendship, love and acceptance. These gifts will be carried forward through the lives of her sons Stephen Leijon (Joanne), Kenneth Leijon (Shelia), daughter Susan Leijon, granddaughters Kimberlie Leijon (Tom), Devenney Leijon (Danielle), grandsons Christopher Leijon (Alanna), Kerrigan Leijon (Cody), Gregory Leijon, Stuart Leijon, great-grandsons Milo Leijon, Enzo Leijon, great-granddaughters Aurora Leijon, Freya Leijon, and through her sister Anne Lee (Gallaher) Griffin and her beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 3900 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Transfiguration Episcopal Church, to Sutter VNA & Hospice (1900 Powell Street, Suite 300, Emeryville, CA 94608,) or to St Jude Children’s Hospital (Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.)
