Ruby was born in William Penn, Washington County, Texas, to Ernest and Alwine Boenker on August 19, 1931. She went to school in William Penn and continued her education at Blinn College, receiving an Associate in Arts degree on May 13, 1949. She transferred to Sam Houston State Teachers College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts on May 19, 1952. She began teaching English in Brownsville and Crosby, Texas and went on to receive a Masters of Education degree from the University of Texas on August 17, 1961. On August 4, 1962, she married Clarence Emory McGaw, Jr. and gained a daughter, Terri Lynn. Clarence and Ruby resided in Longview, Texas for many years where she taught high school English. Both Clarence and Ruby were founding members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Longview. Son, Shawn and daughter, Kathleen were born a few years later. The family moved to Spring in 1979 and became members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Ruby retired from teaching on June 1, 1997, from Spring High School with 38 years of professional excellence as an Educator in Texas. Ruby was an avid reader, played the organ, and liked to embroider and knit in her spare time when she wasn’t grading high school English papers. She also loved her dog, Honey, who joined the family in 2001. She spent time volunteering at the Tomball resale store through her church. Her most recent days were spent helping to take care of her grandchildren whom she loved more than life.
Ruby is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence E. McGaw, parents Ernest and Alwine Boenker of William Penn; brother Leroy Boenker and wife Elsie of Brenham, Texas, brother-in-law Ray Nelson of Friendswood, Texas, sisters-in-law Grace Lippman of Elizabethtown, Kentucky and Sue McGaw of Longview, Texas.
Ruby is survived by her sister Audrey Nelson of Friendswood, Texas; brother Roberial Boenker and sister-in-law Dorothy of Brenham, Texas, daughter Terri Lynn Jurena and husband Maurice of Caldwell, Texas, son Shawn McGaw and wife Rebecca of Katy, Texas, daughter Kathleen Montemayor and husband Andy of Spring, Texas, her grandchildren, Lani Norman and husband Chris, Lindi Jurena and fiancé John Herford, Jill Jurena, Noah Montemayor, Joshua Montemayor, Aaron Montemayor, Ruby Montemayor, Luke McGaw, and Owen McGaw. She is also survived by brother-in-law Robert McGaw of Longview, Texas, sister-in-law Rose Marie Hankins and husband Roger of Waco, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church – Ruby McGaw memorial at 21434 East Hardy Rd, Houston, Texas 77073.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Mercy Elderly Assisted Living for their support in her final months.
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