Second Woman Mayor Ruth Loundree Still Loved and Known Today

By Abby Haney

Photo of Ruth Loundree who was Sandy’s second woman mayor from 1978 until 1984. Her passing saddened many citizens but many have loving memories of her.

Being independent is an important trait and skill to have in life. Women in the 20th century needed that skill more than ever in order to break societal norms. One woman though accomplished independence more than any other, Ruth Loundree, best known for becoming Sandy’s second woman mayor.

“She was a very active person,” Scott Halvorsen said. “She was a very independent lady.” 

Loundree began her career by graduating from the Portland School of Business, a rare accomplishment for women at the time.  Her first professional job was with the Sandy Post. Loundree started as a typesetter in the late 1940s or early 50s before becoming an administrator and eventually the Sandy Post’s society editor around 1952.

“She was involved for sure. She was no pushover. There was nothing she wouldn’t do. She was sticking up for the community,” Scott said. 

In 1958, Loundree became the City of Sandy’s city recorder. She was approached by Sandy’s mayor at the time, Ruben Hoffman, to run for the empty city recorder position. With Hoffman’s encouragement, Loundree won the election and was the recorder for 14 years until switching to become the city’s administrative secretary and financial officer. 

“I keep saying how much she cared for the community. She cared for helping, she cared for making it a better place and she was like that from day one on whatever she did with the city when she was a recorder until she became mayor,” Debbie Halvorsen, Ruth Loundree’s granddaughter and Scott’s wife, said. 

Loundree's time at City Hall didn’t end after 20 years but instead, continued when she was elected mayor in 1978. Loundree loved being on city council and wanted to continue her work. She ran for mayor three times, defeating five men in her first election campaign. One year, Loundree did a little campaigning but many stated “none was needed.” She was also a municipal judge, resolving conflict there as well. 

“She liked her voice because she knew she could make a difference doing something she really believed in and when she became mayor it gave her that extra opportunity to really move forward,” Debbie said.

Loundree at her retirement party in 1984 where many came to congratulate her. Her doings in City Hall are remembered and seen today.

Loundree becoming mayor was memorable for Sandy citizens but those who celebrated with her remember the excitement. Loundree was in Hawaii when she was notified she was elected mayor  and to celebrate, the village she was visiting with her daughter and Debbie threw Loundree a party. 

“I think when she was the mayor of Sandy was probably her highlight because she got to be involved with city planning,” Scott said. 

While mayor, Loundree made changes and impacts in Sandy focusing on capital improvement programs for streets and water planning. Loundree improved Sandy’s sewer and water system with the installation of the Alder Creek Tank. Along with that, Loundree named Pioneer Boulevard.

“I think to her credit, being the strong person that she was, she didn’t flounder under the pressure, she embraced it and she moved forward and she hit goals,” Scott said. 

While Loundree knew everyone, she was more secluded than other mayors as she didn’t make appearances. Loundree won Citizen of the Year award but wouldn’t attend the ceremony for it, causing details to be shared, spoiling the intended surprise. However, Loundree still cared for the community and welcomed them with open doors, being an accessible mayor. 

“I do remember her door was always open because her door faced Proctor Boulevard. People, as they would walk by, would knock and they would go in and they would have a visit. She had a very open door policy from day one,” Debbie said.

Loundree awarded Bill Johnson keys to the City of Sandy. Johnson was a gold-medal winner in downhill skiing in the 1984 Olympics.

Even after leaving office as mayor in 1984 Loundree never stopped her involvement in City Hall. Former mayor Linda Malone recalls when Loundree would share her opinions about the actions councilors were talking to her in the back during council meetings. 

“[Ruth Loundree] was outspoken and gutsy,” Malone said. “She was very vocal about things she thought should be done.”

Loundree did lots of work for the city for many reasons but especially because she loved Sandy. She never left Sandy, even after leaving mayoral office, up until her passing in 2002 due to cancer. 

Abby Haney will be the upcoming Editor-In-Chief at Sandy High School for the Pioneer Press and is a writer at large for The Sandy Historical Society.