Ruth Evelyn Clancy

Ruth Evelyn Cain Clancy, 86, born July 13, 1932 in Dayton, OH, died on January 30, 2019 in Austin, TX. Ruth worked in the payroll department of National Cash Register for 12 years, where she met Douglas Eugene Clancy, of Hardy, IA in 1963. After a few short months, they eloped to Covington, KY and spent the next 56 years together. They raised four children: Ann Lacker (Steve), Tom Clancy (Eve), Mary Susan Gilmer (Davis) and John Clancy (Kristin); and had three grandchildren, Caitlin Lacker, Madeleine Clancy and Thomas Clancy. Ruthie often bragged that she had four children who all graduated from high school, went to college (2 with Ph.D’s) and had successful careers and marriages. She was ahead of her time in terms of raising children, insisting on family dinners, limited TV, free time spent outdoors and lots of books. Ruth and Doug lived in Dayton, OH, Lexington, KY, Austin, TX and Concord, NC. Upon retiring, they moved back to Austin, which the entire family always considered home. She loved to travel, especially anywhere with a beach or where she had children or grandchildren. Ruth enjoyed her Lutheran faith, and over the years had belonged to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, and most recently, Abiding Love Lutheran Church. Her neighbors in Western Oaks in South Austin knew her as the lovely lady who walked the neighborhood, always stopping to talk to the children and pet the dogs. Although stricken with Alzheimer’s, Ruth continued to walk, attend church, enjoy her family, and eat bowls and bowls of ice cream. The Clancy family gathered on Feb. 23 for food, music, laughter and lots of desserts. Her family would like to thank the staff at Brush Country Nursing & Rehab, where she spent the last few weeks of her life, and Heart to Heart Hospice.