Demetra Catherine (Preftakes) RUTH

RUTH, PREFTAKES, DRIVAS, MYERS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/30/2009 at 10:43:24

Dallas Morning News, TX
September 9, 2009

Demetra "Dee" Catherine Ruth of Richardson, Texas passed away on September 4, 2009 surrounded by her family. Over the past year, she fought a courageous battle with cancer that rarely slowed her down. Born July 3, 1928 in Clarion, IA to Cosmos and Athanasia (Drivas) Preftakes, Dee is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Phillip; son Paul; daughter Tina Myers and husband Jim of Dallas, TX; and sister Matina Preftakes of Des Moines, IA. She is preceded in death by her parents. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1950 and went to work for Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, IA where she met her husband. Dee and Phillip were married April 15, 1961. After relocating to Richardson in 1978, Dee taught at Richland College. For the past 25 years, she was a substitute teacher at Richardson High School. She loved the interaction with her students and the camaraderie with the faculty. Dee was past president of the Richardson Symphony Guild and a long time supporter of the Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony, Santa Fe Opera and the Richardson Symphony. She was also a member of PEO and several book clubs. She was loved and known for her optimism, love of life and her loyalty to her family and many friends. She will be dearly missed and will be forever in our hearts. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 10 from 6:00-8:00pm at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be held on Friday, September 11 at 11:00am at Central Congregational Church, 5600 Royal Lane, Dallas. A private burial will follow the service. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that Dee be remembered with a contribution to the American Cancer Society specifically for lung cancer research.