Ruth Wood, a widow for the past ten years, says 2017 was one of the worst years of her life. The recent California transplant says she broke a hip and shoulder, and ended up penniless, while being abandoned by most of her family.
The 62-year-old says she has four grown children but that she lost contact with them along the way.
“My son, he’s a professor at the University of Arkansas. I’m really proud of that young man. And my girls, they are all mothers and grandmothers. I’m a great grandmother by the way.”
Reading and Quiet Walks
One of her hobbies is reading which she says she’s been able to continue despite her hardships. “I read constantly. It doesn’t really matter what I’m reading, you always learn something from … the written language. I read plenty of novels. I’ve read all the classics.”
She worked many years as a waitress and janitor, but now she says she’s just looking for peace and quiet and ways to rest.
“What I do everyday, I walk downtown where it's nice and quiet. I can’t deal with all the screaming and yelling, people wanting to fight….”
Reporting by Prince Nesta for Our Town Reno