Ruth Ann Price, 72, passed away on February 20, 2026, with her loving daughter, Emily, and John, her son-in-law, beside her in Albuquerque, NM.

The eldest child of Charles and Ruth Price, Ruth Ann, was born in Oklahoma City, OK, in 1952. She grew up in Cassville, MO, where she attended kindergarten through her first two years of  high school. The family moved to Miami, OK, in 1968. Ruth Ann graduated from Miami High School in 1970. Ruth Ann earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (1974),  Women’s Heath Nurse Practitioner Degree (1976) and Master’s in Maternal Child Health (1978) – all from Oklahoma University. She worked as a visiting nurse for the Harris County Health 

Department in Houston where she married Doug Stark, her husband of 45 years. In 1984, she earned her Certificate of Midwifery from the University of Southern California Medical School.

Ruth Ann found her true calling as a midwife and began her career at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston. Ruth Ann, Doug, and Emily, who was born in 1991, then moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. There, Ruth Ann joined Mesa Midwives in 1991 and attended thousands of births until she retired in 2018.

Ruth Ann was honored to care for women and never stopped being amazed by the transformative power of birth. In Grand Junction, Ruth Ann and Doug bought a home near Lincoln Park where they discovered and helped build a community of love and support. Ruth Ann thought of the neighborhood as a village where all of the adults watched out for all of the kids. There were block parties in the summer, costume parties for Halloween, and always support for anyone in need. Ruth Ann had the honor of attending many of her neighbor’s births.

Ruth Ann and Doug moved to Albuquerque, NM, in 2020 where they lived across the street from Emily, John, and Henry, who was born in 2021. Ruth Ann cherished her role as Nana and Henry loved spending time with her. Ruth Ann often said that she never knew she could love a little boy so much.

Ruth Ann was a serious quilter and made quilts, pillow cases, throws, aprons and other items for her many friends and members of her large extended family. Her hobbies included gardening, sewing, reading, camping, playing mahjong, hiking, birding, feeding wild birds, and walking her dogs. Her beloved rescue dog, Walter, was a constant companion and stayed close beside her until the end of her life.

She is pre-deceased by her husband, Doug Stark. 

Ruth Ann is survived by her daughter, Emily Stark, son-in-law, John Heine, her cherished grandson, Henry Heine, all from Albequerque; her brother, Tom Price, and sister, Mary Sue Price, both in Fayetteville, AR; her aunt, Maryn Goodson, Bethesda, MD; her uncle, Larry Price, Fort Smith, AR, and many cousins from all over the United States.

A celebration of her life is set for May 2, 11 AM, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Albequerque, NM. A lunch will follow at Hyder Park. 

Ruth Ann wanted to thank of the women who entrusted her to care for them and their precious babies. Ruth Ann and her family would also like to send deep gratitude to the entire team at Southwest Women’s Oncology, especially Dr 

Preya Wisner, DO and Aimee Casarez, CNP. This team allowed our family at least 13 bonus months with our dear Nana. We filled this time with camping trips, pool dinners, Henry’s fourth birthday, weddings of dear friends, beach trips, gatherings with our beloved extended family, and genuine joyous moments. These memories bring us solace in this time of grief. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ruth Ann’s name to the Albuquerque Humane Society or Planned Parenthood, two causes dear to her.

PAID OBITUARY