Henry, Ruth Dakin & Familiy

Ruth Dakin took to mothering with gusto. If nothing else, the sheer number of pictures of Ruthalee and Alice (of which only a small fraction (19) appear in this posting) indicates the continuous attention given to their girls; to say nothing of the fact that they bought a camera to take the pictures. Most of the attention was given by Ruth, but Henry was invested significant time in his own way.

Ruthalee with Mama (1919)

Maybe Ruth's natural inclination for nurturing expressed in her interest in nursing, was her preparation for motherhood.

Ruth and Ruthalee (1920)

In any case, her love and dedication to her daughters, Ruthalee and Alice, was evident in many ways to those around her.

Ruth and Ruthalee (1920)

Home Demonstration Agents were part of a nation-wide network of such associations (which were part of the larger Farm Bureau network) that brought resources to rural, particularly farm families for agricurltural as well as home economic education. A Home Demonstration Agent, presumably for Santa Cruz county, was one Anne M'Cormick who had a lot to say about Ruth's mothering skills.

Ruth & Ruthalee on June 13, 1921, Ruthalee's 2nd birthday

Ms. M'Cormick described Ruth as "an unusually intelligent mother" that "gave such thought and care to her two children that they rank among the best specimens of childhood in the county."

Ruthalee on her birthday

It might be helpful to remember the many differences between mothering today and mothering in 1920 as well as their similarities. Both Ruthalee and Alice Irene were born at home, which provided both greater intimacy, greater risk and work for the family and extended family.

Studio picture of Ruthalee (1926)


Studio Picture of Ruthalee (1922)


Ruthalee at Capitola Beach steadied by Papa's hand


Studio Picture of Ruthalee (1922)

Ruthalee (1926)

Alice Irene (1926) ready to take on the world

Ruthalee recalls as one off her most vivid memories from Laurel Glen, one morning climbing up "onto Mama's bed and she lifted the covers to give me my first glimpse of Alice, the tiny little sister who'd been born a few hours before."

Alice Irene on Bess supported by Mama (Ruth) (1924)

Ruth had her hands full. The little girls look demurring, but Ruthalee tells another side of the story: "I was born in June, 1919 and had four years of attention before Alice Irene was born in April, 1923. Poor little thing was always catching cold and was very gentle and delicate. Not that we didn't fight, because I was very used to having whatever there was and she didn't give up easily."

Alice Irene with Papa on Bess (1924)


Gals and Dolls (1926)


Ruthalee (1926)

Does anyone remember having to look straight into the sun when getting your picture taken? (1926)

Evidently, they learned how each could have what they wanted. Over the last 85+ years have they have enjoyed a strong and supportive relationship with each other, only briefly living more than a 30 minutes drive away from the other.

Ruthalee & Alice Irene with ubiquitous cats

Probably Christmas, 1926

And they are still getting along pretty well

In retirement, they enjoy the one relationship that has remained constant through all the intervening years. Once again, Ruthalee and Alice Irene live in the same household, now across the hill in Los Gatos.