Ruth Newman, Oldest Survivor of 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, Dies at 113

The oldest survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake has died, according to the organizer of the annual earthquake commemoration events.

Pebble Beach resident Ruth Newman was 113 years old when she passed away July 29, according to The Paul Mortuary in Pacific Grove. She was born Sept. 23, 1901, according to the mortuary’s website.

Organizers of the 2016 event commemorating the 110th anniversary of the earthquake on April 18, 1906, will dedicate the ceremony to Newman, anniversary organizer Lee Houskeeper said.

Celebrants will hang a wreath on Lotta’s Fountain, a meeting place after the quake and fire, to remember Newman, Houskeeper said.

Newman attended many of the anniversary events, including the 100th in 2006, but didn’t make it to the last two commemorations, Houskeeper said.

He said they were in touch each year, as he was with the other survivors.

The oldest survivor of the earthquake is now Marin County resident Bill Del Monte, who was three months old when the earthquake woke residents at 5:11 a.m., his niece Janette Barroca said.

Del Monte’s mother wrapped him in a tablecloth as the family fled to the East Bay until it was safe to return and rebuild in San Francisco, Barroca said.

--City News Service, photo via Wiki Commons