Ruth Ann "Tootie" Kahn

Ruth Ann "Tootie" Kahn. Once in our lifetimes, Halley's comet streaks across the sky, fiery, sparkling, radiant. If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it, you are forever changed by the experience. As a four year old, in harmony with her twin brother, Tootie stole the show at a wedding, singing "The Good Ship Lollipop!" She has been stealing the show ever since. She met her perfect match when she began to receive love letters from Pierre Lapin, a.k.a. Peter Rabbit, a.k.a. Stanley Kahn. Their love story was a perfect fit, celebrating the special events in people's lives through jewelry. Tootie became indispensable to Stan and to the success of Kahn Jewelers, the family business started in 1910 by Stan's father Andrew Kahn, where she was the bridal consultant and the importer of antiques and gifts, particularly fine English silver and china. The relationships begun with jewelry gave entrée to greater community involvement. Ever active, ever generous, Tootie indulged her passions for preserving historic buildings, including the restoration of the Hotel Pines, and serving on the boards of the League of Women Voters, Citizens United to Save the Pines, Heckatoo Heritage Foundation, Youth Home, and the Red Cross. Always a person to include others, she was honored to serve on the state board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, which promoted understanding among Protestants, Catholics and Jews. She was proud to be a Life Circle Member of the Chancellor's Circle of UAMS and a 20 year survivor of a kidney transplant. Tootie and Stan were ardent supporters of the cultural arts and, over the years, each of them and their children took part in performances at the Southeast Arkansas Arts and Science Center. In addition, the family belonged to Temple Anshe Emeth in Pine Bluff, and Tootie served on the board of the Temple Sisterhood She was also a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Hot Springs and frequently visited many Pine Bluff churches. Tootie's generosity is legendary, and she is often quoted, "We should always have a gift for people!" She even appeared on the Travel Channel's story on the Kahn Canary Diamond. When the family invited Hillary Clinton to wear the Kahn Canary at Bill Clinton's second presidential inaugural, Mrs. Clinton responded that "We can't have an inaugural without the Kahn Canary!" Tootie was proud to present it to her in a private room at the White House. On August 9, 2001, the Arkansas Senate issued a citation declaring Stan and Ruth "incomparable civic leaders, supporters of the arts, and the last of a dying breed, the Yellow Dog Democrats," all milestones of a long, strong, and prolific career. Happily married for 64 years, together Tootie and Stanley reared four children: Adrianne Kahn (Chris Raybon) of Hot Springs, Beth Kahn of Little Rock, Karen Kahn Weinberg (Dan) of Roswell, Ga., and the late Jeff Kahn. They were blessed with grandchildren Andrea Weinberg of New York City, Jeffrey Harris Weinberg of Roswell, Ga., Andy Raybon of Hot Springs, Jill Bresnan, Pam Owens, and Julie Fontenot; great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Susie Owens, Josie and Jack Bresnan, and Rosie and Anne Marie Fontenot, all of Dallas; sister-in-law, Irene Harris of Miami; nieces, Sandra Hodges Fitch of Ft. Worth, April Husansky and Tracy Purisch of Miami and nephews, Harry Hodges of Tuscaloosa and Jim Bookman of Nashville. Ruth Ann "Tootie" Kahn, 85, of Hot Springs, Ark., died peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital, Hot Springs, Ark., on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Ms. Kahn was born in Memphis, Tenn., to Robert and Anna Harris. Tootie is predeceased by her parents, her husband Stanley Bernard Kahn of Pine Bluff, her sister, Dorothy "Dot" Hodges, twin brother, Robert Harris, Jr., and son Jeff Kahn. Tootie lived to celebrate beauty and joy, and she found beauty and joy in all she met. Even with dementia, the focus of her daily life and her last words were to tell those who visited her how pretty they were and how thankful she was for them. With deep gratitude, the family wishes to honor the medical and caregiving teams for the past 15 years, including UAMS, Arkansas Nephrology, Barbara's Golden Years, Arkansas Hospice, local hospitals and home health agencies. Thank you, Tootie! You will forever sparkle in our hearts and minds! Like Halley's Comet, we are richer for having known you! Please join us as we celebrate her and share our memories of her. Visitation will be held Saturday, September 10, from 10-12 noon at Adrianne Kahn Fine Jewelry and Design at 4330 suite B Central Avenue in Hot Springs. A private memorial service and a tribute tea dance in celebration of her life will be held from 2-4 p.m. For memorial service reservations and directions, please call 501-525-4484. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.