Luau celebrates life of a resident

Family, friends and residents at the Mineral County Hospital in Superior gathered on the front lawn of the building Thursday to enjoy the weather and participate in a luau and memorialize the loss of a dear friend. Ruth Dunn Fitzhugh, a hospital resident, passed away on May 18.

“The family thought that it would be nice to combine this memorial with the luau lunch because she used to enjoy it so much,” said Doug Austin about the late Ruth Dunn Fitzhugh at the luau Thursday afternoon.

The luau included a small Hawaiian-decorated memorial to Fitzhugh. Austin, a friend of Fitzhugh’s, spoke about the effect she had had on his life.

“She had a great sense of humor and I really enjoyed her smile,” said Austin.

Austin told the crowd of more than 70 people about conversations he had had with Fitzhugh throughout their friendship and remarked that she had spoken with great remorse about the plight of interred Japanese Americans during World War II.

“Ruth was someone who was never afraid to express her opinion about what was going on and what she thought was wrong,” said Austin.

Austin went on to say that Fitzhugh was always a good friend to others in the hospital and her pleasant demeanor was a blessing to everyone she met.

“Ruth was one of those people who throughout her years quietly went around doing good. She was always full of life,” Austin said.

Fitzhugh’s sister, Superior resident Pat Adelman, said a few words about her sister as well.

“She was a great woman, she never complained about anything,” Adelman said.

Adelman said that she had become very close to her sister in her later years and remarked that Fitzhugh had “bionic ears” and could always hear what was being said around her.

“I miss her deeply,” Adelman said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Ruth was looking down on us from heaven today.”

Although this is the hospital’s third annual luau, this is the first year that it has been combined with a memorial service for someone who was lost at the hospital.

Activities Coordinator Kathy Jones said that she thought the event went well and everyone enjoyed themselves.

“It’s been great for them,” Jones said about the residents who attended the luau.

Jones set up the event with the help of her daughter, Arianna Jones and Alley Holbrook, a friend of Arianna’s.

Gary MacAfee, who helps maintain the hospital grounds, also helped set up the event for the hospital residents.

Hospital residents from both the Mineral County Hospital Nursing Home and Assisted Living attended the event and were given leis, hula skirts and coconut bras to add to the luau atmosphere.

The hospital also provided a barbecued pig, complete with an apple in its mouth, as well as other food for the event.

Jones said that the event has been a big hit all three years and she tries to get in touch with as many families as she can so the event can give them more time to spend together.

“I wanted to do something that would be a fun end-of-the-summer thing and I thought a luau would be awesome,” Jones said.