Ruby Ann Fey

Ruby Ann Schumann Fey was born in San Antonio TX on June 4, 1932 to Arlon and Edna (Mayer) Schumann, and passed away on Sep 10, 2026, at the age of 94. Ruby Ann grew up on a farm in Converse TX, with her parents and younger brother Melroy. The farm was located on Converse Road, now known as Old Cimarron Trail. She was fortunate to grow up next to the farm of Udo and Erna Marbach, her uncle and aunt, and their 13 children. She attended Converse Elementary, a small school located at the intersection of FM 1516 and Seguin Road. This made for a very long walk back and forth to school. When Ruby Ann started school, she spoke only German. The teacher, who was also German, forbade the students from speaking German. Ruby Ann, her parents, and little brother learned English rather quickly. She attended St Gerard’s High School and after graduating, Ruby Ann went to Draughon’s Business College and learned typing, shorthand, and accounting.

Ruby Ann’s greatest wish for her life was to be a loving wife, homemaker, and mother. She found the perfect man in W. O. Fey, who wanted to be the best husband, provider and father. After W. O. returned from his tour in the Navy, he proposed. They married on September 12, 1950, in a double wedding with Rosemary Fey, mom’s best friend since childhood and W. O.’s first cousin, to her husband Rene DeBacker. They were married by W. O’s and Rosemary’s first cousin, newly ordained Msgr Albert Hubertus. Starting their married life together, W. O. established his own construction company, and Ruby Ann became the secretary and accountant. Together they built the life of which they dreamed, a legacy of which she was very proud: six children with two in heaven, fourteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren with two more on the way.

Ruby Ann and her husband became extremely involved in the activities of their home parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Selma. Ruby Ann became a member of St Ann’s Christian Mothers Society immediately after the birth of her first child. She held a variety of offices in the society over the years, several more than once. She became the “Cheer” Lady after her mother-in-law could no longer do it. As the “Cheer” Lady, she sent birthday and Christmas cards to all the elderly members, as well as thinking of you, get-well, and sympathy cards to any member as needed. As her children started attending OLPH Catholic School, Ruby Ann became a member of the PTC where she held a variety of offices. She helped with fund-raising for both the PTC, St Ann’s and at the annual church festival.

The institution of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Tuesday evenings at OLPH in 1956 coincided with the loss of her second and third babies. Once the novenas began, rarely was anyone of the family absent from the weekly prayer service. A year or so after the novena started, Ruby Ann and W. O. were blessed with another child followed by four more as the years went by. Ruby Ann attributed these miracles to the intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. She continued attending the Novena until she was physically unable. However, her love and thanksgiving to Mary never wavered.

Ruby Ann loved dancing, especially waltzing with her husband, as well as fishing at the coast, and bowling. Ruby Ann’s and W. O.’s bowling included 9- and 10-pin prize bowling at the surrounding small town bowling clubs on weekends. She enjoyed baking, especially at Christmas, making many varieties of cookies and her special fruit cake. She made the best fig jelly using fresh figs picked from the trees in the backyard. She had a major sweet tooth, especially for Mounds candy bars and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups—of course, with her Dr Pepper. She found pleasure in being outdoors working in her vegetable and flower gardens and watching the birds. Her favorites were the redbirds and the hummingbirds.

Ruby Ann loved to travel. She was able to visit the Holy Land, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland to name a few countries, several states, plus cruised to the Caribbean and Alaska. Her trip to Italy included a general papal audience with Pope John Paul II; both she and W. O. had attended the Mass when JPII made his visit to San Antonio.

Ruby Ann was a great friend to many. She always had a smile that lit up her face no matter how she felt. Her smile was contagious—it would make you smile and feel loved. Some of her greatest pleasures were raising her children and being a part of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives. She made a point to be present for all baptisms, birthdays, 1st communions, graduations and any and all other special celebrations. She was the best Mom, Oma and Great-Oma (Goma)—the best example of how to live a full and faith-filled life.

Ruby Ann Schumann Fey was predeceased by her beloved husband W. O. Fey, and two children, Marlene and Anthony; her parents Arlon and Edna Schumann; her brother Melroy Schumann and her son-in-law Charles (Chuck) Pierce. She is survived by her children Cheryl Fey Pierce, Michael Fey (Chiqui), Timothy Fey (Sharlene), Jeanine Fey, Darlene Fey Murray (Pascal), and Dennis Fey (Carolyn) and two sisters-in-law Marceline Fey and Theresa Fey. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Ann’s Christian Mothers Society, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School Endowment Fund, the National Breast Cancer Foundation or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to all caregivers, nurses, staff, and the Seraphic Sisters of St. Francis Nursing Home for the care, concern, and love for mom during her residence there. She loved it there and it truly became her home.