Kathryn Rubin

A Life Well Lived

May 12, 1923 – May 14, 2018

Kathryn Heyman was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Mina and Louis Heyman on May 12, 1923. She joined her sister, Bertha (Heyman) Danoff, who was seven years older. Kathryn’s parents emigrated from Germany to the United States early in the twentieth century. Kathryn’s father was a merchant in New Mexico and her mother was a housewife, raising their two daughters. Louis died in 1939 when Kathryn was 15 years old. Her mother died in 1961 at age 67.

Kathryn, Bertha and their mother owned a hat shop, Bertha’s Shoppe, in Albuquerque on Central Avenue for many years. Bertha and Mina were milliners, and Kathryn got her start selling and being the outward face of the store. Known for their customer service and quality craftsmanship, the Heyman women outfitted customers of all walks of life in Albuquerque with fine hats during the Depression era and later.

Kathryn grew up riding horses, doing well in school, and had many friends. She participated in neighborhood antics and loved being mischievous. From a young age, people took a liking to her and she always found a soft spot in the hearts of her elders and peers. She graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1940. She was known in her communities as a kind leader and had an infectious laugh. She met Leon Rubin from Raton, NM. They were introduced by a traveling salesman who knew Leon’s and Kathryn’s families in their respective communities. They married on January 6, 1946. Leon had just returned from WWII and joined his father and brother in running the family business, Rubin’s, a successful clothing store in Raton. Kathryn and Leon were married for close to 67 years before Leon passed away on January 1, 2013, one day short of his 93rd birthday.

They raised their two sons, Randolph and Ronald in Raton. There, the Rubins provided a wonderful life for their family, loving the ease of a small town and being a part of the business and social aspects of the community. They were involved in many organizations both locally and statewide. Kathryn and Leon were well-regarded business owners, running Rubin’s Family Clothiers until its closing in 2011 (the store was open for 95 years!), R&R Shoe Store, Willow Springs Mercantile and Sports Arena with their son, Randy, and the Del Rose.

Kathryn was awarded the Hurst Award as a Jewish Pioneer of New Mexico on June 4, 2017, and received this honor in Santa Fe, witnessed by many friends and family, being only the 19th individual to receive it. She was also the head of her Jewish synagogue in Trinidad, Colorado, Temple Aaron for close to 30 years, maintaining and improving the structure with the help of History Colorado and Colorado Preservations, Inc. She was a Paul Harris Fellow in Colorado Springs at the Downtown Rotary Club where her Ron serves as president. Kathryn was named to the Trinidad State Junior College Foundation’s Hall of Fame in 2013 and was on the Educational Foundation Board for over 20 years.

In Raton she was a member of Pick and Shovel, Eastern Star, Raton Friends of Music, Community Concert Association and PEO, as well as a Cub Scout Den Mother while Randy and Ron were growing up. For over fifty years, she was a member of the Seventh Street Coffee Club, a Friday lunch group, and a bridge club. She was a life member of Hadassah. As well as donating her time, she was philanthropic and generous to numerous causes and families.

Kathryn spent her final seven years at MacKenzie Place in Colorado Springs with Leon until his death. Kathryn was considered the “mayor “of MacKenzie Place because of her interest and involvement in the people who lived there and her help with ideas to improve senior living.

Kathryn had many friends and family all over the country, but especially in Colorado and New Mexico. She made a video recording of her life a few years ago entitled “A Life Well Lived” that will serve as her legacy for years to come. She was always grateful for her family, long life, and her many blessing that followed her throughout her life. Family and friends meant everything to Kathryn. Her mind was sharp until the very end of her life. Kathryn will be remembered for her generosity, love of people and their personal lives, and helping her friends and extended family with anything she could do to make their lives better and happier. She had an uncanny sense for remembering people, facts, figures and dates. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a remarkable memory of almost everything in her life and the lives of others. She died saying she lived a happy, full life and didn’t have regrets.

Kathryn is survived by her two sons, Randy and Ron, and their families: Randy’s two children Nina and Benjamin, living in California; and Ron and his wife Karen (Berenstein) and their two children Gillian (Dan Rollins) Rubin-Rollins of Colorado Springs, and Daniel (Tammy) and their children, Reizy, Shloimy, Rochel, Moishe, and Yossi of Beitar, Israel, and many nieces, nephews, and other family members.

A celebration of Kathryn’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 16 in Trinidad, CO at Temple Aaron Cemetery at 1pm for the burial. The address for the cemetery is 13050 Nevada Ave., Trinidad, CO 81082. The service will follow at Temple Aaron, 407 S Maple St, Trinidad, CO 81082. Funeral arrangements provided by Swan-Law Funeral Directors. Their phone number is 719-471-9900. Another memorial service will follow in Colorado Springs in the near future. Please wear bright colors to Kathryn Rubin’s services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations: Temple Aaron ℅ Randy Rubin, 228 S. Sixth Street, Raton, NM 87740, New Mexico Jewish Historical Society, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, Trinidad State Junior College Educational Foundation, 600 Prospect Street Trinidad, CO 81082 or a charity of your choice.