Former Mayor Bailey dies at age 80

Former Huntington Beach Mayor Ruth Bailey died on Sept. 25 at her Huntington Beach home. She was 80.

Having served two terms on the City Council from 1978 to 1986 and twice as mayor, Bailey was one of the founding members of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica. She helped start the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, the Huntington Beach Sister City program and high-profile events, such as “A Taste of Huntington Beach” and the Concourse d’Elegance antique car show, held every year at the Central Library.

“She was quite a pioneer in the city,” said former planning commissioner Steve Ray. “Being a woman mayor and all, she was very influential.”

Bailey first ran for council elections in 1978 and was elected then and a second time in 1982. She became mayor in 1980 and 1984.

“Ruth was known as a woman who was dedicated to improving and preserving her community,” said Laurie Payne in a news release.

Bailey was born in Miami Beach, Fla. and moved with her family to Long Beach when she was 12 years old. In 1962, she and husband Sherwood decided to settle down in Huntington Beach.

The former mayor helped with travel coordination at the Rodgers Seniors’ Center in the last years of her life. She also helped start the Interval House in Huntington Beach to help battered women.

Bailey is survived by daughters Pam Doest, Suzy Schaffer, Roneale Branning, five grand children and six great grand children.

A memorial service will be on Saturday at 3 p.m. at “Alice’s Breakfast in the Park” in Central Park, off Edwards Street.

The family has requested that donations be sent to any of the organizations she was so passionate about instead of flowers. The organizations are: Interval House (562) 594-9492; the Huntington Beach Outreach Center (714) 960-2478; or Amigos de Bolsa Chica (714) 840-1575.