Dr. Ellen Ruth Oakes Harboldt : Sunrise August 19, 1919. Sunset: Wed Jan 01 2025, at the age of 105. Dr. Ellen Ruth Oakes's memory will forever live on in the hearts of family and friends.
Memorial Service
Saturday, February 22, 2025 @ 3PM. Held at Touchmark at Coffee Creek, Edmond, Oklahoma. Please be sure to click on Tributes to sign her guestbook.
Early Life
Dr. Oakes parents lived in a t... more
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Learned to gamble and play pool at age 105. Broke glass ceilings her whole life. Forever adored.
Deborah Oakes
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She read books after she went to bed. I have seen her asleep many times, holding a book up.
When she moved from Vintage Gardens, she had 18 dictionaries and 23 foreign language courses.
Deborah Oakes19 Jan 2025
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She came into my room one day and plopped a fedora on her head. She asked me if she looked like Indiana Jones' grandmother. She was on her way to see her grandson who was an Archeology student and on a dig at that time.
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19 Aug 2024
Deborah Oakes Her 104th birthday. She published a book and painted over 77 beautiful paintings this year. You can see some of her paintings behind her.
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19 Aug 2024
Deborah Oakes She sold a painting. It really gave her a thrill.
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19 Aug 2024
Deborah Oakes She sold 2 paintings. It really gave her a thrill.
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Deborah Oakes Look at those beautiful curls. She always looked like she just stepped out of a beauty salon.
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Aug 2024
Deborah Oakes She won an award at a ceremony in downtown Oklahoma City at the Cox Convention Center. Everyone wanted their photo taken with her.
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Aug 2024
Deborah Oakes Here she is holding a huge bouquet of roses given to her when she won the award.
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2025
Deborah Oakes Just before we go to Casino night where she learned to gamble. She was so good at throwing the dice, someone won every time.
Deborah O. People said they were going to take her to Vegas because she was a good luck charm.
After she had been throwing the dice a couple of hours,...
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1962
Deborah Oakes Trophy for graduating summa cum laude from OCU. Her trophy was 3x the size of the athletes that got trophy's.
Deborah O. She was the smallest one on stage and had the biggest trophy.
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1956
Deborah Oakes She was in Mummers Theater in Dark Side of the Moon.
Deborah O. That's her on the left.
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1970
Deborah Oakes Riding her horse, Kaleb.
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2024
Deborah Oakes Watching the eclipse with 3D glasses. It got cold.
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16 Mar 2024
Deborah Oakes We had our photos taken when we stopped to admire a painting.
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2024
Deborah Oakes One of her paintings
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2024
Deborah Oakes One of her paintings
Deborah O. A favorite of mine
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2024
Deborah Oakes A sketch she did.
Deborah O. She loved elephants. She said this one was greeting it's relatives.
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2024
Deborah Oakes Another painting
Deborah O. You can see the influence of the French masters. She and I were docents at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art when they had the French Impressi...
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2024
Deborah Oakes One of my favorites
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2024
Deborah Oakes Receiving a plaque when she won an award.
Deborah O. You can see by the lady's face, how enthralled she is with mom. Everyone reacted this way to mom.
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25 Dec 2023
Deborah Oakes Visiting Christmas decorations at Touchmark
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25 Dec 2023
Deborah Oakes More Christmas decorations at Touchmark.
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Mar 2023
Deborah Oakes Happy Easter
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Deborah Oakes Happy Mother's Day
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19 Aug 2025
Deborah Oakes Happy Birthday with Dr. Gary and Dee Ann Beeby, friends for many years
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25 Dec 2024
Deborah Oakes She gave the aides the biggest box of chocolates we could find, for Christmas this year. The box is almost as big as she is.
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2024
Deborah Oakes I often brought her home for some pampering.
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Deborah Oakes Brought her home for pampering. She slept 3 hours.
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19 Aug 2021
Deborah Oakes She's so pretty on her 101st birthday
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19 Aug 2021
Deborah Oakes 5 fire trucks and loads of neighbors drove by to celebrate mom's birthday during covid.
Amy K. We loved Dr. Oaks so much here at Southerly Farms.
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2020
Deborah Oakes Geese with goslings in our backyard. They kept us entertained.
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2024
Deborah Oakes Headed in to cardiologist appointment with a gift of a painting for the cardiologist.
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25 Dec 2023
Deborah Oakes Santa has a trick cane he's showing mom.
Mom had a friend who lived in France. The friend moved and they lost track of each other. Mom called France and got an operator. This is before the internet.
Mom asked the operator if she knew her friend and yes, the operator knew how to reach the friend. They were reinstated and stayed friends the rest of mom's life. The friend signed mom's guest...
Deborah Oakes
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When mom was middle school age, a girl in her school needed a blood transfusion or she wouldn't live. Mom was the only match so she agreed to help. After the girl was better, she followed mom all around school and nicknamed her Peanut!
Deborah Oakes
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Mom purchased a Jimmy Hendrix album before he was famous. Most everyone that heard it didn't even like it. Then, he became famous and people thought mom was a genius.
Deborah Oakes
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Deborah Oakes Mom and a friend that always came out of his room if mom sat on the couch.
Deborah O. She's wearing her new white shoes she was proud of.
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Deborah Oakes Some of the aides loving on mom.
Deborah O. Touchmark has wonderful aides. Mom was lucky because all her aides were wonderful. None of these even worked in her court. They checked on h...
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Deborah Oakes Wonderful evening shift aides. Joseph and Ana.
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Deborah Oakes Mom and UK, a favorite aide.
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Deborah Oakes Mom and girlfriends, drinking smoothies.
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Deborah Oakes Mom with her table mate, Fern. Getting ready for lunch.
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Deborah Oakes Mom and friend. I came in to give mom a treatment but didn't have the heart to ask her to leave and go to her room.
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Deborah Oakes Shelly and Trina. Day shift. Mom was fortunate to have great aides for both shifts.
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Deborah Oakes Mom in art class at Touchmark.
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Deborah Oakes Her commentating plaque from her contribution to Harding Charter School.
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Deborah Oakes Dena Madole is one of mom's best friends. They met at the YWCA in 1950 and remained friends until mom passed. She often gifted mom with her artwork.
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Deborah Oakes Stacy Mills, a friend to mom and rolfer based in Hawaii.
Deborah O. Stacy was in a terrible car accident where her brain was exposed and she lost a lot of blood. She called her surgeon who she directed what n...
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Deborah Oakes Dr. Ida Roth, the founder of Rolfing. Stacy Mills knew Dr. Roth and introduced them.
Deborah O. Dr. Roth saved her son's life once. He got shredded in the blades of a tractor while mowing. She ran out and had to cut off one arm to save ...
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Deborah Oakes Georgia Lee Clarke. A lifelong friend who was director of the YWCA and hired mom to teach swimming after she passed all her tests.
Deborah O. Georgia Lee was the last one that left Germany after the war. She fell in love with the fields of waving wheat and settled here.
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Deborah Oakes Eleanor Roosevelt, mom admired her and said Eleanor saved their lives.
Deborah O. Mom read Eleanor's column every week in the Capper's Weekly.
Mom said their family got a huge bag of rice
and a wheel of cheese every mont...
Deborah O. Years later, mom heard Eleanor would be at Menningers Clinic in Topkea, KS on February 14, 1959. She jumped in the car and drove there hopin...
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Deborah Oakes Professor Hu, Tai Chi teacher. He escaped from Communist China after being imprisoned in a small cage.
Deborah O. He moved to the USA and brought his family here, one-by-one.
Mom and I were in his Tai Chi class. He watched all of us through every class....
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Deborah Oakes Mom was walking through the streets in Paris. She recognized a friend, one of the Hefners. They stopped and talked.
Deborah O. The friend gifted mom with a beautiful piece of pottery she made. Mom treasured it until she moved to Touchmark.
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Deborah Oakes Mom reading the 1st draft of her book, Shake, Rattle and Roll. I gave it to her as a Christmas gift. She's age 102!
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Deborah Oakes Just as we entered the highway, to go to Tulsa, mom sang, "On the road again, I'm so glad to be on the road, again.
Deborah O. She always had a great sense of humor.
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Deborah Oakes The movie star, Helen Hays, toured the United States to advocate for polio vaccines.
Deborah O. Mom was assigned to be with Helen when she came to Oklahoma. They were at the Governor's mansion. Helen broke her bra strap just as she was ...
Deborah O. Mom told her, I will take care of this for you. I know just who to talk to. Mom found the governor's wife and they got Helen a safety pin.
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Deborah Oakes Mom visited her friend, Sylviane, in Paris around 1992.
Deborah O. Sylviane snapped this photo and loves it. She asked me to upload it for her.
Deborah O. Sylviane said they had a wonderful time. They went to a psychology conference, visited Paris, talked and laughed a lot, creating wonderful ...
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Deborah Oakes Virginia Satir was a friend to mom and they have an interesting story. Mom attended a meeting where Virginia was speaking.
Deborah O. When the meeting was over, they were talking. Virginia asked mom if she would like to travel to Africa with her.
Deborah O. Mom was very interested until she found out Virginia was leaving the very next day. Mom told her it wasn't possible.
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Deborah Oakes This is a dress mom made in high school and saved all these years. It has 2 pleats in the back, making it a fitted dress.
Deborah O. Her dad walked in while she was cutting up the fabric. He was shocked her mom was letting her cut up that expensive material.
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Deborah Oakes The back of her dress. It has 2 pleats from top to bottom and fitted shoulders. She put a lot of work into her dress.
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Deborah Oakes The house we grew up in. We lived here when mom went back to OCU. 1419 NW 34th
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2020
Deborah Oakes Mom and I lived here when she was 100-103. She wasn't able to be outside so we needed a bigger house for exercise. 22690 Grace's Terrace, Edmond, OK.
Deborah O. We had stairs and she was able to go up and down them at age 100.
Deborah O. Her physical therapist was so impressed with her. He was able to use advanced bands that other therapists never got to use.
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Deborah Oakes The backyard at Grace's Terrace was beautiful. It had a pond with geese, ducks & herons. They kept us entertained.
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Deborah Oakes A fledgling, blue heron flying by. We named him Junior. We have a lot of stories from watching him grow up.
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Deborah Oakes Pelicans on Lale Hefner. We went every day and knew every road around the lake. We knew where the Pelicans hung out.
Deborah O. We also knew where all the stray cats had been dumped, too. We checked them every time. Lots of people knew and fed them.
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Deborah Oakes Another photo of her beautiful curls.
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Deborah Oakes Mom took everyone on a walk this day. Her PT is beside her.
Deborah O. Ann Franklin behind her, Mary Lee Allen is next and Wylene Westborough with her daughter.
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Deborah Oakes Vintage Gardens where mom lived after moving back to Edmond after living in Germany. 15821 Napa Ridge, Edmond, OK.
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Deborah Oakes Sierra and mom. Sierra was a wonderful weekend aide.
Emmanuella NdaDr. Oakes was my best friend—the grandmother I never had. From the very first day we met, we formed a special bond. I was always running to her for advice, to play with her, and to listen to her stories. She was full of love, joy, and energy, and I will cherish those memories forever. Just seeing her smile could lift my spirits, even on my saddest days. I don’t think she ever realized how much her smile meant to me.
She will always have a place in my heart, forever and ever. And I will keep the promise I made to her—to name my daughter after her.
21st February, 2025
Julie FranklinEllen Ruth was a lovely, kind and learned lady
I feel blessed to have known her. My condolences to Deborah and her family for the loss of this amazing woman 14th February, 2025
Anastasia Njoroge DR Oakes was kind hearted with contagious smile and concerned about other people's well-being. She was a blessing to entire Touchmark community. She left a positive mark on everyone she interact with and she will forever be remembered. Thanks Debbie for taking good care of her.7th February, 2025
Siritip PrewittI m sorry for your loss. I took care of her even short time but I m always happy to take care of her. She is a very sweet , nice person . She is a jewel. 25th January, 2025
Douglas JamesShe was a nice lady full of joy and so lovely to anyone that come in contact with her. She will forever be missed by most of her caregivers in Touchmark. Keep resting in peace Dr Oak.25th January, 2025
Gary & Dee Ann BeebyI asked a friend in recent years, who was a former Dept. Head of the Dept. of Psychology at a major University, if he knew or had heard of Dr. Oakes. His immediate response was one word…
“Iconic”.
She was indeed a special person, and whether you knew her personally or professionally your life was enriched because of her place in it!
Some people affect eternity, their influence never stops. I believe that will be true with Dr. Oakes, as her influence continues to be passed on through the thousands of friends and patients she touched over her 105+ years. As she crossed over I have no doubt she was met with, “Well done my good and faithful servant”!24th January, 2025
Delrisa Delrisa FeglerI had the pleasure of getting to visit with her in the last 6 months. She always greeted me with a smile. She was surrounded by people that cared and/or loved her. She was a very strong woman till the end. Prayers for all of the family!
Now she is at peace! She will be missed! And, everyone should have a daughter like Debra. She devoted most of her days to her mother! Always, Risa❤️24th January, 2025
Sylviane BarbantiI met Dr Ellen Oakes when I was a student, she was my professor . Our relationship turned into a real deep frienship for 56 years. Even if we lived in different countries we kept in touch by phone and trips. Ellen has been a wonderful professor and unforgetable friend, full of so many human qualities. Her intelligence, her deepness, her devotion to others, her enthousiam, and her good humor. All these qualities, and still more, don't leave anyone indiffent. That's why she was so much loved. She will always have a special place in my heart.
May she rest in peace. My sincere condolences to her wonderful and devoted daughter Deborah, and her family. 24th January, 2025
Jonathan ManbodeI have not met Dr. Ellen R. Oakes in person. I only know her from Deborah postings. She seems to be an elegant and a caring person, pretty sure it runs in the family. Sincere condolences to Dr Oakes family, relatives and friends. May she have eternal peace! 23rd January, 2025
Jennifer Stemmler23rd January, 2025
Pamela HarboldtAunt Ellen, has enriched the life’s of her family and friends through out her life. She will always be in my heart forever. 23rd January, 2025
Trina Wills23rd January, 2025
Shelly Paynes-ZolicofferIt was a pleasure caring for Dr. Oakes. It was a blessing getting to know her and Debra. Dr. Oakes was a beautiful women inside and out. She will be truly missed. 23rd January, 2025
Contessa Miller I am so very glad that I got to meet this wonderful and dynamic woman. I extend my deepest condolences to Deborah and her entire family. May their memories of this beautiful Soul comfort them in these hours of grief. 23rd January, 2025
Marie Jimenez Beaumont Jimenez BeaumontDr. Oakes,
For years, I followed Deborah's accounts of your life and remarkable achievements during a time when women lacked the freedoms we enjoy today. You were truly a pioneer. It was a delight to see your paintings and hear about the book you completed as a centenarian.
I deeply admired your open-mindedness, curiosity and kindness ---qualities that your daughter, Deborah, so beautifully inherited from you.
May your soul continue to shine brightly, and may you and Deborah remain connected as you cherish the love you shared—a love that is eternal. 23rd January, 2025
Erishka Fridman-CattDear Dr. Ellen Ruth Oakes Harboldt I wish you peaceful journey to your next destination, and for your daughter Deborah to find comfort in the loving bond you both shared. As your life being celebrated, I hope that sadness of your passing to another world will be transformed into love and the cherished legacy that you have left behind, living the life as remarkable as you chose to. May your body rest in peace and your soul keep shining, challenging this world to be more open, accepting and inclusive place for all. 23rd January, 2025
Tom & Irene MockSending you love and hugs from Australia. 😘she was a very inspirational lady.23rd January, 2025
Jo Ann PearceEllen was an amazing woman. She got me through some tough times. No matter what happened in her life, she kept her optimistic attitude and zest for life. She was inspiring! She is greatly missed. My condolences to all the family. Jo Ann23rd January, 2025
