from The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association

Washington, PA — Longtime Meadows switchboard operator Ruby Cook, 81, died Dec. 31, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Cook was also loved by her Meadows family since she arrived at The Meadows from the beginning in 1963 and through her 46 years of service. She was as unique as they come and anyone who was part of The Meadows for any length of time has a Ruby story. She was known as the “Chief of Communications.”

She was born Oct. 26, 1935, in McDonald, a daughter of the late Henry “Pat” and Lucy Krenn Smith. Mrs. Cook was a 1953 graduate of McDonald High School.

Surviving are her children, Bobby (JoAnn) and Darcy (John) Kelly; grandchildren, Brianne (Edward) Eiler, Shannon (Andrew) Grace, Shaun Kelly, Danielle (Neil) Carman and Ryan Carson Cook; great-grandchildren, Addison Joy Eiler, Grayson Eiler, Gavin Grace, Caden Grace, Luca Carman and Rylan Carman; sister, Fern Gedman; and a nephew, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews, whom she held dear to her heart. Her husband, Robert Carson Cook, died in 1998.

Friends will have a time to visit with family members from 4-6p.m. on Thursday (Jan. 5) at the Thomas-Little Funeral Home at 314 W. Lincoln Avenue in Ruby’s hometown of McDonald, Pa. Meadows Chaplain Pastor Joe DiDonato, a close friend to Ruby and her family for years, will lead a memorial service at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.pittsburghcuresarcoma.org.