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Ruby Delores Landon, 98, died on April 15, 2024. Born on a farm in north central Pennsylvania, where no high school was available. She attended Jersey Shore High School, boarding with local families, and graduated in 1943. Upon graduation, she went to work at Piper Aircraft in Lock Haven as a secretary where she also learned to fly, soloing in a Piper J-3.
After marrying her first husband, Robert C. McKissick, and spending a brief time in southern California, the family moved to Pittsburgh. She worked at a 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.
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 Marty, 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.