Longtime Meadows switchboard operator Ruby Cook died Saturday, December 31, 2016 at the age of 81, surrounded by her loving family.

Ruby was also loved by her Meadows family since she arrived at The Meadows from the beginning in 1963 and through her 46 years of service. She was as unique as they come and anyone who was part of The Meadows for any length of time has a Ruby story. She was known as the "Chief of Communications."

She was born October 26, 1935, in McDonald, a daughter of the late Henry "Pat" and Lucy Krenn Smith. Mrs. Cook was a 1953 graduate of McDonald High School. Surviving are children Bobby (JoAnn) Cook and Darcy (John) Kelly, both of McDonald; grandchildren Brianne (Edward) Eiler, Shannon (Andrew) Grace, Shaun Kelly, Danielle (Neil) Carman and Ryan Carson Cook; great-grandchildren Addison Joy Eiler, Grayson Eiler, Gavin Grace, Caden Grace, Luca Carman and Rylan Carman; sister Fern Gedman; and a nephew, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews, whom she holds dear to her heart.

Her husband, Robert Carson Cook, died in 1998.

Friends will have a time to visit with family members from 4-6p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the Thomas-Little Funeral Home on 314 W. Lincoln Avenue in Ruby's hometown of McDonald, PA.

Meadows Chaplain Pastor Joe DiDonato, a close friend to Ruby and her family for years, will lead a Memorial Service at 6p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to http://www.pittsburghcuresarcoma.org.