Ruby Helen (Burke) Meaders

1921-2023 Together at last

Ruby passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of January 31, 2023 to reunite with her beloved husband James (Jim) John Meaders (1919 – 1984). Ruby was born on March 5, 1921 in Knowlton, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of two children born to Tillie Hartmann and her 2nd husband Leon Burke; the family also had four older children from Tillie’s first husband, Max Kujawski, who died in 1917.

In 1957 the family lost their Los Alamos house and belongings when they were destroyed by an accidental natural gas explosion and resultant fire. While rearing their 5 children, Ruby and Jim were founding members of the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union (1958). Ruby worked for 8 years as the Credit Union manager, with the original office in the front foyer of their rebuilt family home. Ruby maintained all the books, tracked all transactions, and balanced every account using only paper, pen, and an adding machine.

In March of 2016 (at the age of 95), Ruby moved to Albuquerque to be closer to her children as she advanced in age.

Ruby lived a life of purpose and left a legacy of friendship, service and love to all; we would all be blessed to follow her example in our own way.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Calvin, Wilfred, Irene, Erwin and George, her husband, Jim, and eldest son, Tom. She is survived by Janet (Tom’s spouse, of Cary NC), Don (Michelle), Ken (Linda), Barbara (Alan) Bertram (all of Albuquerque), Fred (Bonnie)(of North Ogden, UT), 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Per Ruby’s wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes will be interred in the Santa Fe National Cemetery with her sweetheart, Lt. James J. Meaders USN. Together at last. A graveside service will be held at a later date.

For the longer version of her life, please visit our online guest book for Ruby at //neptunesociety. com/obituary