In Memoriam: Ruth Beaglehole
At LABBN and across our network, we mourn the passing of our beloved trainer and mentor Ruth Beaglehole. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and to all those who were lucky enough to be close to her and to benefit from her teaching and the wonderful example she set.
Ruth left us on April 21, but like all good teachers, she will always be with us. For more than a decade, Ruth has been part of the core training that new staff members in our network receive. Hundreds of home visitors, nurses, managers, and others who received Ruth’s training on Parent-Child Empathetic Communication and on Brain Development and Early Infant Development have shared what they learned with countless families across the county. And many of these families also participated in the “parenting with nonviolence” support group that Ruth led on Saturday mornings. Learn more about Ruth’s life and work at RuthBeaglehole.com.
Ruth was a pillar in our community and in our collective work toward social justice, empathetic communication, and uplifting communities. Her presence was powerful yet gentle — she brought a calm, grounding energy into every space she entered.
“Ruth had a way of seeing people,” said LABBN Director Sharlene Gozalians. “She listened deeply, spoke with intention, and carried a quiet strength that inspired so many of us. Her positive spirit, her unwavering belief in the goodness of people, and her dedication to equity and compassion will continue to ripple through our work and our lives. Let’s hold onto the light she brought into the world and to each of us.”
Ruth touched many of us personally and professionally, so it’s not surprising that this announcement on Instagram of her passing is overflowing with touching tributes. We’re grateful for all the good she did in the world, and for all the good parenting that will continue to help kids for generations because of her work.
“Mostly our children need us to be role models on how to love well, how to care, how to actually connect with their hearts, how to give them their voices, how to listen to them … and ultimately how to model for them what it is to become powerful adults who care about social change.”
— Ruth Beaglehole
Photos of Ruth at our last in-person Family Strengthening Network Summit (in 2019):
Click to see photos of Ruth with her family and friends:
