Ruth Hershey Finley

Ruth Hershey Finley, 87, of Balboa Island, passed away peacefully in her daughter’s home in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on March 13, 2013, in the presence of her family, devoted caregiver and dear friend Loie Zweifel.

Born on February 6, 1926 in Santa Ana, Ruth was the only child of the beloved Swiss immigrants, Anton (Tony) and Whilhelmina (Mina) Hershey, who established Hershey’s Market and the Village Inn Restaurant on Balboa Island.

Ruthie moved to the Island when she was three years old, living 84 of her 87 years on Onyx Avenue. She loved Balboa Island; her charming home and the wonderful life long friendships that she made there. Ruth also enjoyed being a business owner, a charter member of the Newport Beach Assistance League, and a member of the Hoag Hospital Toy Committee.

Ruth was one of the few remaining residents to live on Balboa Island since 1929. She leaves us with incredible photos, memories and stories of the Island that are priceless. Answering a request from the Balboa Island Museum & Historical Society, Ruthie and her children recently met with Museum representatives to share their family photos and memories of the ninety years they have spent on the Island. Ruthie was extremely honored that the Museum & Historical Society will display a new exhibit this summer, focusing on the Hershey family, their experiences and the contributions they have made to the development of Balboa Island.

Ruth was a loving mother, a devoted grandmother, and a caring great-grandmother. She loved spending part of each year in Kailua-Kona, with her two children, her “Two Brightest Stars”, Tony and Susan and their families. She touched the lives of everyone that she met with her graciousness, love, humbleness and kind heart. She was truly an angel, who will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her. We are so proud of her and so blessed to have had such an incredible woman as our mother. We will cherish her forever.

Ruth is survived by her son Anton “Tony” (Marta) Finley; daughter Susan (Roy) Lambrecht, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; grandsons Anton Finley Jr., and Cody Lambrecht, of Kailua-Kona; her granddaughter Tarayn, and her two great-grandchildren of Irvine, California.

A service to celebrate her life will be held in Newport Beach, at a later date this summer.
Happy Mother’s Day Mom