Ruby L. (Landon) Shimko
October 11, 1925 - April 15, 2024
Service: Graveside service in July.
Ruby Delores Landon was born on a farm in north central Pennsylvania, where no high school was available. She attended Jersey Shore High School, boarding with local families. After graduating in 1943, she worked at Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven as a secretary where she also learned to fly, soloing in a Piper J-3.
After marrying Robert C. McKissick, and spending a brief time in southern California, the family moved to Pittsburgh. She worked at several businesses before being offered the position of Office Manager at Dravo International. She was an avid fan of jazz and frequented the many jazz clubs in town. Whenever she walked into the Encore in Shadyside, Harold Betters would break into “Ruby Baby”.
Upon marrying her second husband, Richard A. Shimko, and retiring from Dravo, the couple moved to Cranberry Township. Although Ruby lost her husband in 2003, she continued to live in Cranberry and remained an active walker, reader and bridge player. In April 2023, with failing health, she moved into assisted living at The Waters of Wexford in Warrendale, where she received excellent care from their staff and Bethany Hospice. She passed away quietly there in the early hours of April 15. In her last year, her thoughts were often of her early life on the farm in White Pine.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Richard Shimko, her parents Evelyn and Harry Landon, her brothers Lyle and Richard Landon, her sisters Betty Heivly and Pauline Farrow and her daughter Marsha Golling. Ruby is survived by her granddaughter Jessica Golling, Jessica’s husband Martin Janni, Jessica’s father Wayne Golling and her son Michael L. McKissick who lives near her childhood home and Summit Cemetery, the site of her internment. In addition, she has many nieces and nephews living in the Williamsport area.
A family graveside service is planned for July.
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Miss Ruby will be missed. What a wonderful woman who lived an extraordinary life. Loved talking golf bowling and airplanes with Ruby. Loved how she beamed when she would tell me about her flying experience and flying over the farm and waving at her dad. Now she can fly over all of us. Miss Ruby.
We first were neighbors, then friends, then family. Ruby listened, advised and inspired me over many years. I miss seeing her pulling weeds, working on her crosswords, holding my hand, and dancing with her walker. But now she can dance freely, know all the answers to the crosswords, and enjoy all the flowers without weeds! Most importantly she can hold the hand of Jesus.
Love you Ruby Dear.
Ruby, Ruby. Don’t take your love to town.
I will truly miss your beautiful smile, laughter and spending time with you.
You are truly an awesome inspiration to everyone who you came in contact with.
Till we meet again. Love 💘
It has been a pleasure re-connecting with Ruby the last three years. I have fond memories of her from childhood and many more as an adult, seeing Ruby in Pittsburgh and at Mike’s for their family reunions. Ruby has always been upbeat, resilient and loved Mike, Marsha, Jessica and her large extended family. There is no doubt that Ruby will rest peacefully next to her husband in her beloved White Pine.
Much love to Mike and his entire family!