Obituary of Ruth Bell Bassett

BASSETT, Ruth Capp Bell, MD Our loving, brilliant and courageous mother passed away October 6th, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's. She is peacefully in her Heavenly Father's arms for eternity. Ruth was born Jan. 1, 1934 in Norfolk, VA to William Harrell and Dr. Ruth Harrell, two prominent educators in their fields. They taught her the importance of a relationship with Jesus, serving people and the value of an education. Her late mother described her beautifully in a letter, "She is loved wherever she goes. She's for the underdog, the slighted, the abused, the impoverished, and for the friendless." She was known particularly for her kind and gentle manner, her exceptional intelligence, and her often-mentioned love for Jesus. Ruth grew up sailing competitively on Chesapeake Bay while also becoming valedictorian of her high school class. She graduated twice from Duke University with a BS in zoology and an MD, where she was one of 3 women in a medical school class of 74. While at Duke, she met her first husband, Paul Capp, MD. She began a psychiatry residency at University of North Carolina but after having three children in three years, she delayed completing her residency. She, Paul and their four children moved to Tucson in 1970, playing integral roles at the new University of Arizona College of Medicine. While raising her children, she was active in her church, rode horses and managed to sail whenever possible. She completed her psychiatry residency at University of Arizona in 1979 and held several positions in Tucson and Virginia. She practiced as a psychiatrist in a private practice and as a staff psychiatrist at La Frontera Center, Group Health Medical Associates and Portsmouth Psychiatric Center. Ruth was able to actively pursue her love of sailing while married to Bill Bell and they enjoyed sailing with the Tucson Sailing Club together until his death in 1986. In 1987, she embarked on a trans-Atlantic sailing race on a 35 ft. boat from Spain to Barbados for a month at sea. She eventually married Tom Bassett, also a sailor. They enjoyed sailing in San Diego for many years. Ruth loved the Lord with all her heart and worshiped and served at various churches over the years. Denominations didn't matter to her as she was an active member of the Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and First Christian Church congregations. Her final church home was St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church where she served in the Order of St. Luke's Healing Ministry. She is preceded in death by her parents, two siblings who died as young children, and her husbands, Bill Bell and Tom Bassett. She is survived by her children, Marianne Capp Hadden (Bob), Mike Capp, Steve Capp (Patty), John Capp (Phyllis); grandchildren, Adam McDaniel (Crystal), David McDaniel, Kaytee Hogland (Austin), Jacob Capp, Lucas Capp, Brian Capp, Julianne Capp; great-grandchildren, Kellen McDaniel, Brooks McDaniel. She is also survived by her former husband, Paul Capp, MD. She was a loving and supportive mother throughout her exceptional life and she will be greatly missed. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 17th, 3:30 pm, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Reception will follow at the church.In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Ruth Harrell Capp, MD Scholarship Endowment, which provides funds for female students at Pima Community College.