Known professionally as Ruth Rogers in her capacity as the Women's Travel and Fashion Consultant for the Matson Lines' ocean liners:  the Lurline, Mariposa, Monterey, and Matsonia, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2004 in Concord, California after a long illness. Ruth was born on February 25, 1916 in Trinidad, Colorado and graduated from South Pasadena High School and attended UCLA while taking operatic singing lessons and distinguishing herself in the New York Metropolitan Opera's regional auditions.

In 1935 she was married in San Marino to JA DiGiorgio, an agricultural pioneer in the San Joaquin Valley and an officer and director of the DiGiorgio Corporation, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her second husband, Benjamin F Wilson III, by her brothers, Parvin Pattison Jr, Walter Pattison, and Frederick Pattison. She is survived by her loving and devoted son, JR DiGiorgio of Los Altos, California.

Her professional career as Ruth Rogers began in 1958 on a voyage to Hawaii on the passenger liner, Leilani, where she was seated at the Captain's table next to Larry Plowman, the President of Hawaiian Textron, which owned the Leilani. Upon her return, Mr Plowman offered her the new position of Travel and Fashion Consultant for Hawaiian Textron's Leilani. After several successful years with Hawaiian Textron, Matson Lines appointed her as its Travel and Fashion Consultant for their luxury cruise ships.

As well as frequently traveling on board the passenger liners and presenting her one-woman modeling shows, Ruth also traveled around the United States for personal appearances before women's groups, clubs, and business and travel groups answering wardrobe and other questions for women travelers. She was noted for modeling colorful cruise wear in varied price ranges obtained from Hawaii's leading fashion designers and manufacturers.

Following her career with Matson Lines, Ruth spent several years in bookkeeping and accounting positions with different companies until her illness prevented her from working.

San Francisco Chronicle, May 9, 2004