Ruby Strauss Thalheimer McCaskill Smith

Ruby Strauss Thalheimer McCaskill Smith, age 87, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2014. She was born in Little Rock, on June 1, 1926 to the late Eleanor Pfeifer Strauss, daughter of Ruby and Leo Pfeifer, and the late Sam Strauss. She graduated from Little Rock High School in 1945 and attended Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Ruby was a volunteer in many civic organizations, often serving in a leadership capacity. She was secretary of the Greater Little Rock Federation of Women's Clubs, served on the United Fund Budget Committee as chairman of the Metropolitan Division, and was a board member and treasurer for the Working Women's Research Center. She chaired the Ways and Means Committee for St. Vincent's Hospital Auxiliary and was the first president of the Doctors Hospital Auxiliary. She served on the board of the Gaines House and the Arkansas Arts Center. She was a co-chairman for the first Tabriz gala held at the Arts Center and also served as treasurer of the Fine Arts Club. Although active in many endeavors, she most enjoyed being with her family and wide circle of friends. She loved to play tennis, to travel, and to dance. Playing Bridge and Maj Jong frequently with close friends was also a pleasure for her. She was a member of Temple B'nai Israel. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her beloved brother, Sam Strauss, Jr. and his wife Shirley, and special companion, Harry Fuller She is survived by her sons, Bruce Thalheimer Jr. (Barbara) and Lee Thalheimer (Libby) of Little Rock, children of former husband, Bruce A. Thalheimer, stepchildren, Ross McCaskill (Sheila) of Little Rock and Leslii McCaskill of Conway, children of deceased husband, Dr. Melvin McCaskill, and extended family, Griff Keyes (Kenan) and Cloud Keyes (Nancy) , stepchildren of deceased husband Douglas Smith. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Andrew Thalheimer of St. Louis, Mo., Eleanor Thalheimer (Joe Partridge) of Portland, Ore., Evans Thalheimer, Mary Tipton Thalheimer, and Stuart Thalheimer all of Little Rock, and two great-granddaughters, Emma Wiley and Ruby. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Ruby's compassionate caregivers and especially to Amalia Farcas who was almost always with her during her final weeks. A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at Temple B'nai Israel, 3700 N. Rodney Parham Rd. in Little Rock. The family requests that memorials in her honor be made to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 4301 W. Markham St., #716, Little Rock, Ark., 72205, or to Temple B'nai Israel, 3700 No. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock, Ark., 72212. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.