Ruth Doney

Ruth Doney, 90 years old, passed away peacefully at her home in Keller, Texas on July 24, 2021. She was surrounded by the love of her family at the time of her passing.
Ruth was born September 14, 1930, at her family home in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. She was the youngest of five children born to Samuel and Cora Costenbader. Upon graduating from Stephen S Palmer High School in 1948, Ruth went on to earn a Registered Nursing (RN) degree from Easton Hospital School of Nursing in 1951. After nursing school, Ruth moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania to attend Dickinson College to study Biology. While at Dickinson, Ruth met the love of her life Hugh Doney. The two wed on June 12, 1955, which also happened to be the day Ruth graduated from Dickinson with a B.S. in Chemistry.
Ruth and Hugh moved to Austin Texas in 1956 for Hugh and Ruth to both attend the University of Texas at Austin. Ruth received her M.A. degree in Experimental Zoology in 1958 and Hugh earned a PhD in Geology in 1966. After 5-year stent in Corpus Christi, Texas where two of their three children were born, Hugh and Ruth moved to Monroe, Louisiana in 1964. Monroe was home for Hugh and Ruth for 50 years and the birthplace of their third child. While Hugh taught Geology as a professor at ULM, Ruth worked for 40 years in many local hospitals as an RN in the ICU, CCU and Emergency Room. She was also a strong patient advocate and made sure all patients received high quality care. When not working or spending time with family, Ruth enjoyed gardening, knitting, going to plays and symphonies and doting on the many family pets. Hugh and Ruth were also active members of the Gem and Mineral Society in Monroe and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church also in Monroe. In 2014, Hugh and Ruth moved to Keller, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren. While she lived in Texas the last seven years of her life, Ruth always considered Louisiana her home.
Ruth is preceded in death by her mother and father, Cora and Samuel Costenbader and her siblings, Catherine Barstow, Earl Costenbader, Carl Costenbader and Ralph Costenbader.
Ruth is survived by her beloved husband Hugh, her three children Kim Doney Champine, Carl Doney and Deborah Doney Walker and their respective spouses Art Champine, Elena Doney and Joel Walker. Ruth is also survived by her five grandchildren, Morgan Champine, Branden Champine, Austin Champine, Kendall Walker and Quinn Walker.
Ruth will be laid to rest in Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum in Monroe, Louisiana. In lieu of memorial flowers, the family would request a donation in her name to a local Humane Society. Animal welfare was always near and dear to Ruth’s heart.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com