Peg Phillips ( September 20 , 1918 -- November 7 , 2002 ) was an American actress best known for playing storekeeper Ruth-Anne Miller on the television series `` Northern Exposure '' .
Peg Phillips ( September 20 , 1918 -- November 7 , 2002 ) was an American actress . She is best known for playing storekeeper Ruth-Anne Miller on the television series `` Northern Exposure '' .