Ruth Ann (McHenry McEldowney) Epstein

4/30-1929- 3/30/2017

Ruth Ann Epstein passed away peacefully at home on 3/30/17. She was born in Jersey City, NJ to William McHenry and Helen Pate. She was raised in Hillside, NJ by her Uncle and Aunt, Frank and Helen Durkee.

She met John McEldowney as a young 13 year old, was engaged at 17 and married on her 20th birthday, 4/30/1949. After getting married, she and John moved to California in 1951. They had two children, Frank and Joan. After John’s passing she met Irwin Epstein. They were married June 15, 1985.

Ruth Ann had many talents and pursued many ventures in her career. In New York she was an actress, dancer and model. In California, she worked as an Art Director at KTLA, at Desilu Productions, Paramount Studio as Danny Thomas’ personal secretary, Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems for Harry Koplan and Eddie Foy Jr, and The Lawrence Welk Show.

Later she and Irwin formed their own talent agencies Friendly Hands Productions and R&I Enterprises. They owned and operated Kookie Kartunes a tee shirt shop and Sherwood Forrest Florist. She worked as a free-lance graphic artist, book illustrator and writer and created several lines of her own greeting cards.

Ruth Ann loved to knit and many were gifted with her knitted scarfs and Bubbe blankets.

She was kind, full of love and laughter and lived life with zest.

We will all miss her stories.

Ruth Ann is survived by her son Frank (Josephine) McEldowney, daughter Joan (John) Pitkin and son Larry (Jennifer) Epstein. Her grandchildren who called her Bubbe or Mimi are Sarah Pitkin, Kevin Pitkin, Tim McEldowney, Dan McEldowney, Jordan Epstein and Zoe Epstein. Sister Joanne (Charles) Appel. Nieces Jan Easton and Debra Joy Hart, and nephew Glenn Easton and Downey family nieces and nephews who affectionately called her Aunt Mickey.

Private Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

Celebration of Life to be held Friday June 16, 2017 6pm at the Pitkin Home