Ann Irving Cruikshank

On Monday, the 3rd of October 2022, with her family at her side and after a short illness, Ann entered into the home of her Lord for Eternal Life. She was 92 years of age. She was born in Houston on the 22nd of August 1930.

All those who shared her life enjoyed knowing her generous caring ways always there for friends and others in need. Ann loved to spend time with her relatives and friends, always entertaining with her deep knowledge of historical events. She had a knack for always making time for her relatives and friends.

Ann attended Poe Elementary School, Lanier Junior High School and was an honor graduate of Lamar Senior High School. She also attended William Marsh Rice University (Institute) where she was a member of Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society, Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with Honors in History. Ann spoke many times of how her studies at Rice greatly enriched her life as she continued to pursue special interests through reading, collecting and traveling. Her love of history took her to Israel, and many destinations in Europe and Africa.

While attending Rice she met her future husband, Bob Cruikshank of DeQuincy, Louisiana, whom she married in 1953. They became the parents of a son, George Irving Cruikshank and a daughter, Eleanor Ann Cruikshank. Ann was especially devoted to her home, family, and friends, and always considered their needs the highest priority in her life.

She was a member of the Church of St. John the Divine, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BA, the Houston Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Alumni, a former member of the Brown Thumb Garden Club, and the Assistance League of Houston. She especially enjoyed the comradery of her E.B.L.S. which met twice monthly for bridge. This group met for over 45 years.

Ann also worked as a senior U.S. docket paralegal of intellectual property and office manager for the law firm of Arnold, White and Durkee for over twenty years.

One event she loved to recall took place in 1944. She wore a red corduroy dress to the Junior League's annual holiday luncheon. Agnes Muench, a famous Houston portrait artist of the time, was impressed and asked if she could paint Ann's portrait in the dress. The finished portrait, "Girl in the Red Dress," was entered into the 1944 Museum of Fine Arts "Houston Artist Show." The portrait was the runner up for the popularity prize and Ann suddenly found herself being recognized when she went out. Ann described her brief fling with celebrity as a "strange but not unpleasant phenomenon." The portrait still hangs in the Cruikshank home and is considered a family treasure.

She is survived by her son, George Irving Cruikshank and wife Marly, and her two beloved grandchildren Charles Moore of New Braunfels, Texas and Emily Ann Moore of Austin, Texas. She was predeceased by her daughter Eleanor Cruikshank Moore, and her parents George Milton Irving and Eleanor Rast Irving.

There were five wonderful ladies in Ann’s later years that helped her endure the health challenges she faced: Isabel Godinez, Febe Tala, Tomasa Ceron Salazar, Alejanda Castillo, Estefani Castillo. Words cannot adequately express the love and care they brought to “Miss Annie.”

A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 14th of October, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where The Rev. Louise Samuelson, Associate Pastor at The Church of St. John The Divine, is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston.

Ann lived a long and eventful life, always expressing love and concern for her family. Friends and family alike, agree she was a true lady. She will be greatly missed.