Prescott’s matriarch and long-time historian Elisabeth Ruffner passes away

Elisabeth Ruffner, a longtime Prescott Historian is photographed at the Hassayampa Hotel Feb. 28, 2007. A Governor's proclamation on the preservation of the Hassayampa Hotel, hangs behind Ruffner in which she was instrumental in saving. (Courier file photo)

By The Daily Courier

Originally Published: March 14, 2019 2:22 p.m.

Elisabeth Ruffner by Courier Video

Photo Gallery

Elisabeth Ruffner Photos

Front row from left, Bruce Fee, Martha Cvetkovich Smock, Walt Minucci, Joan Vornara Gegg, Charlie Fornara; Second row from left PG Rosenblatt, Ann Ravey Hazeltine, Charlie Phillips Elisabeth Ruffner, Johnny Marchello and Jane Robbins McCaffrey. (Les Stukenberg/Courier file from 2014)

Sheila Polk, at right, congratulates Elisabeth Ruffner on her receiving the Barbara Polk Spirit of Volunteerism Award at AWEE's Annual Luncheon at the Prescott Resort Sept. 13, 2012. (Les Stukenberg/Courier file photo)

Photographer Gary Ladd, left looks over his book of photos with Elisabeth Ruffner in this Nov. 2000 Courier file photo. Ruffner was an original founder of Friends of Arizona Highways, which now organizes photo workshops of The Grand Canyon. (Courier file photo)

Elisabeth Ruffner, left, George Goodwin and Parker Anderson, Elk's Historian stand over the previously unmarked grave of Professor Stanislaus Scherzel in this file photo from June 2005 in Prescott. Scherzel was a regular performer at the Elk's Theater in the early 1900's and took his own life in 1912. His grave in Mountain View Cemetery remained unmarked until the Yavapai Heritage Society and the Mountain View Cemetery donated the headstone in a Friday ceremony. (Courier file photo).

Elisabeth Ruffner, left, and George Goodwin stand over the previously unmarked grave of Professor Stanislaus Scherzel in this file photo from June 2005 in Prescott. Scherzel was a regular performer at the Elk's Theater in the early 1900's and took his own life in 1912. His grave in Mountain View Cemetery remained unmarked until the Yavapai Heritage Society and the Mountain View Cemetery donated the headstone in a Friday ceremony. (Courier file photo).

Elisabeth Ruffner talks with Dave Irvine Director of the Highland Center and his wife Claire Oberst March 19, 2015 before the start of Elisabeth: A Celebration and a Tribute to Elisabeth Ruffner at the Elks Opera House in downtown Prescott. (Courier file photo)

Elisabeth: A Celebration and a Tribute to Elisabeth Ruffner at the Elks Opera House in downtown Prescott March 19, 2015. (Courier file photo)

Haley Construction project manager Lee Vega listens as Elisabeth Ruffner explains some of the intricate historical facts of the Elks Opera House July 29, 2009 as demolition and reconstruction begins and will continue over the next 9 months. (Les Stukenberg/Courier file photo)

Gateway Mall manager Steve Conrad, left, and Elisabeth Ruffner kickoff the final year countdown for the mall opening this morning. Developers plan to open the mall March 8, 2002. (Courier file photo)

Arizona State University President-Emeritus Lattie Coor, at left, shares a laugh with Tom Benson and Elisabeth Ruffner before he gives his presentation on ÒThe Arizona We WantÓ at Yavapai College in Prescott July 30, 2014. Approximately 70 people attended the speech and question and answer session afterward. (Les Stukenberg/Courier file photo)

Melissa Ruffner, left, and mother Elisabeth display the Sharlot Hall Award April 18, 2003, won by Elisabeth in 1993. Melissa is the current winner of the award , presented to both mother and daughter. (Courier file photo)

A bike taxi transported long-time Prescott residents Elisabeth Ruffner, 99, left, and Rosemary Rusing, 96, into the ÒSave the DellsÓ rally at the Point of Rocks along the popular Peavine Trail on Oct. 20, 2018. (Cindy Barks/Courier)

Elisabeth Ruffner, center, and Rosemary Rusing, left, both in their 90s, took a several-mile-long bike-taxi ride to a ÒSave the DellsÓ rally at the Point of Rocks in the Granite Dells in October 2018. (Cindy Barks/Courier)

In a May 2018 interview, Elisabeth Ruffner, the founder and longtime president of the Open Space Alliance, called the 2018 dissolution of the organization after a gradual ÒinstitutionalizationÓ of the movement by the City of Prescott Òa perfect endingÓ to the organization. (Cindy Barks/Courier)

Longtime Open Space Alliance President Elisabeth Ruffner, then 98, talked with City of Prescott Recreation Services Director Joe Baynes on May 16, 2018, about the dissolution of the Open Space Alliance. (Cindy Barks/Courier)

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, left, chats with Chino Valley Mayor Karen Fann and Elisabeth Ruffner prior to her Prescott State of the State address Jan. 9, 2007 at the Prescott Resort. (Courier file photo)

Prescott’s matriarch and long-time historian Elisabeth Ruffner passed away Wednesday night, March 13, 2019. She was 99. Respecting the family’s wishes, on Sunday, The Daily Courier will publish a story about Mrs. Ruffner’s life and impact on the community, to coincide with her obituary. In the meantime, please enjoy this look back on her life through photos from the Courier’s archives.