Elynor Genevieve Ruddy died peacefully on February 19, 2013 in Austin.

She was born April 11, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois to Laura M. (Polubinski) and Patrick A. Quinn. Upon graduation from Lindblum High School, Elynor went to work at the Chicago office of United Airlines where she remained until her marriage to Charles James “Ted” Ruddy on April 27, 1946. Ted’s job with Sears Roebuck Co. brought them to Houston, Texas in 1947 where they raised their daughters, Laurie and Carol.

After Ted’s death, Elynor remained in Houston until moving to Sun City, Texas in 1996. There she made many good and lasting friendships. She joined St. Helens’ Catholic Church and served as a greeter. From there, she moved to Austin to be closer to Laurie. Elynor pursued various volunteer interests over the course of many years: she was a volunteer for 17 years with Taping for the Blind, 8 years with the Mother’s Club of St. Agnes Academy, collected wigs for cancer patients, delivered meals to elderly of Corpus Christi Parish, Brownie Girl Scout leader, served as a Eucharistic Minister, was a regular blood donor, election poll worker, member of the Sacred Heart Family Guild.

When her children were older, Elynor returned to part time work for the Houston Convention Bureau where she met many interesting people from many industries. She enjoyed playing Bridge, baking cookies, traveling overseas, helping her neighbors, being a grandmother, and eating Blue Bell ice cream. For many years she was an avid exerciser, taking classes at the local community center and taking brisk walks around her neighborhood.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, her brothers, Walter Quinn (Therese), Bernard Quinn (Helen), George “Bud” Quinn and her sister, Marie Costello (Bill). She is survived by her daughter, Laurie E. Ruddy of Austin; granddaughter, Molly L. Simpson of Austin, granddaughter, Julie S. Guinta (Christopher) of Houston; her daughter, Carol Ruddy-Hara (Todd) of San Diego, California; grandchildren, Patrick and Neil Hara of San Diego, California; several nieces and nephews in Dallas and Chicago.

The family would like to thank Odyssey Hospice, Park Bend Health Center and her good friend, Sally Espinosa, for their care and support. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half past six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Friday, the 22nd of February 2013, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at half past ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 23rd of February, at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Drive, Austin, Texas.

Published in Austin American-Statesman on February 22, 2013