Mary Middlebrook

"Her children rise up and call her blessed" and so do all that knew her. Mary Ruth left us, while in the arms of her family, on December 13. Although she succumbed to a brain tumor, her wonderful mind was with us to the end and she died peacefully.

Mary Ruth was born in Austin, Texas on July 23rd, 1938. Her parents were Cole and Rachel Butler. She grew up in Rusk, Texas; she attended the University of Texas where she met her future husband and received a Bachelor of Education degree; she lived in Thousand Oaks, Glendale, and Rancho Santa Fe in California; Houston and Dallas in Texas; and retired to Granbury, Texas and her cherished Chama River Valley of Northern New Mexico.

Mary Ruth is survived by her husband of 50 plus years of marriage, Mac Middlebrook; her daughters, Stephanie Eberle and husband John of Plano, Pamela Carr and husband Bill, of Carlsbad, California, and Claire Stone and husband Kendall of Dallas, Texas. She is survived by seven grandchildren, Austin and Erin Eberle of Plano, Lexi, Madison, and Paul Carr of Carlsbad, and Parker and Chappel Stone of Dallas. She is survived by her sister, Genny Mantzuranis and husband Chris Mantzuranis of Dallas; and her brother-in-law, Edd Middlebrook of Dallas. She is also survived by her niece, Christina Mantzuranis of Dallas and her nephew, James Mantzuranis and wife Chrissy of Highland Park, Texas.

Mary Ruth was a consummate gardener wherever she lived, particularly in Rancho Santa Fe, in Granbury at the historic home she restored near the town square, and her Chama Valley home. Her flowers and vegetables were truly legendary.

Mary Ruth was also a passionate educator, whether as a classroom teacher or daily with her children, grandchildren and friends. She never stopped learning herself and joyfully conducted summer camp, Camp Pinon Ridge, in New Mexico for her grandchildren and their friends. She also provided scholarships for three graduates of Escalante High School, in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico.

With all her gardening and educating, she still found time for service to her communities such as through Habitat for Humanity in Granbury, and Friends of El Vado and Heron Lakes in New Mexico, and the San Jose Church In Los Ojos, New Mexico.

For the sheer joy of it Mary Ruth was an avid hiker and runner, logging countless miles wherever she lived or visitedwith her dogs, family and friends. She ran several marathons, including the New York, and she had the fastest 10K time in 1978 for a forty year old. She loved to antler hunt in Northern New Mexico and also loved her hikes down the Rio Grande Gorge and the Grand Canyon.

We are all so blessed to have had Mary Ruth as part of our lives.

A funeral mass will be held for Mary Ruth on December 22nd at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75023. A reception celebrating Mary Ruth's life will be held in the Parish Hall immediately after the service. At 2:30 the family will continue to receive guests at the home of Genny and Chris Mantzuranis, 17110 Spanky Place, Dallas, Texas 75023.

For charitable giving honoring Mary Ruth, the family recommends: Seton Fund, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2700 W. Plano Pkwy., Plano TX 75023; Hood County Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 1866 ,Granbury, TX 76048;and Faith Fund, Faith Presbyterian Hospice, 4350 Sigma Rd, Ste 400, Dallas TX 75244.