Mrs. Ruby May Houlihan

Ruby "Jake" Jacobsen Houlihan returned to her Father in Heaven on August 26, 2015. She is survived by her husband, John Houlihan, her daughter Mary Scates and her husband, Rex Scates, her daughter Sara Houlihan and her partner Valerie Fielder, and her grandson, Isaiah Scates.

Ruby was born in Fresno on June 22, 1940. She graduated from Washington Union High School where she played the French horn in band. After high school she worked at Sherman and Clay Music Store where she met the love of her life, John Houlihan. They were married at St. John's Cathedral in 1964. After raising her two daughters Ruby worked at M.V. Music and then at Patrick's Music. She later attended Fresno City College where she earned her radiology technician certificate and then worked at Dr. Lau's office.

Ruby spent much of her life volunteering in the community. She was a driver for Angels on Wheels driving cancer patients to their appointments, she was a founding member of the La Paloma Guild through the Fresno Historical Society, and she was a Girl Scout leader. She was instrumental in establishing the Fresno chapter of Therapy Dogs International. She and her dog, Zoey, spent over 1, 000 hours doing visits, earning them a President's Award last year. They visited patients at Bel Haven Skilled Nursing Facility and helped children learn to read at the Fig Garden Library through the Tail Waggin' Tutors program. This program helps children gain a love of reading by reading books to dogs. Ruby set up visits and coordinated events for the group up until a couple of weeks before she passed away. She will be missed by many.

Memorial Service will be at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thurs., Sept. 3 at 7:00pm.

Memorial Mass will be at St. Anthony Padua Catholic Church on Friday, Sept. 4 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to Friends of the Library, P.O. BOX 4523, Fresno 93744 note: Memorial: Ruby Houlihan.