Ruth Acopan Obituary

Ruth Masae Kuritani Acopan passed peacefully April 15, 2024, surrounded by the people she loved.

Ruthie was born January 13, 1950, in Hilo, Hawaii to parents Thomas Tsuneo Kuritani, Sr. and Fumie Yamaguchi.

She graduated from Hilo High School in 1968 and went on to graduate from the University of Hawaii in 1972, where she studied Sociology. In 1969, Ruth and Cousin Kathleen spent half of the summer traveling in Europe.

On April 1, 1975, she was hired at Hawaiian Telephone Company where she retired on March 19, 2005, which was a few days short of 30 years of service from Verizon Communication. On January 23, 2005, Ruth M. Kuritani married Elpidio "Sonny" Acopan, Jr. They met while employed at the telephone companies and enjoyed 19 years of marriage.

In November of 2004, Ruth and Sonny bought their present home in Soldotna, and in May 2006, they moved to Alaska and became residents. That same year, they started volunteering at Central Peninsula Hospital from 2006 to 2020. During orientation, they met Jane Smith and became very close friends to this day. Ruth volunteered 5 days a week and together with Barb Dilley, she helped to keep the hospital's volunteer auxiliary running efficiently. Ruth thoroughly enjoyed her volunteer work, and she earned a couple of awards that she treasured.

A service award, 10,000 hours award, and most recently, she was awarded the Central Peninsula Hospital's very first Volunteer Lifetime Service Award posthumously.

Ruthie loved to make any occasion "special" by making party favors for all who attended. She was generous, thoughtful, loving and kind. She loved children and would make them fun goody bags filled with candy, cookies, and nuts for holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Halloween. Ruthie and Sonny did not have children of their own, but they were the best calabash aunty and uncle to many of the children in their lives.

Ruthie is survived by her sister, Pat (Clifford) Oda from Colorado; and her cousin, Kathleen Sakamoto, in Hilo, Hawaii; and many nieces and nephews. Ruthie was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Tsuneo Kuritani, Sr. and Fumie Yamaguchi; brothers, Thomas Kuritani, Jr., and Ronald Kuritani; and sister, Carol Jitchaku. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate to CPH'S Volunteer Scholarship in Ruth's honor at 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, May 17th at 11am at Soldotna United Methodist Church 158 S. Binkley Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska. Lunch will be served.