Ruth K. Smyer, long time Albuquerque resident, passed away on August 12, 2011 at her home in Four Hills. Ms. Smyer was born in Columbus, New Mexico to Marie Kelly Klein and William Patrick Klein on July 6, 1917. Her parents had moved to Columbus in order to open a branch of the family's mercantile business. The store served the American troops stationed on the border at the time. Ruth spent her childhood in Arizona. Ruth graduated with honors from the University Of West Texas A&M with a triple major in English, Speech and Drama. Ruth married her college sweetheart, Paul A. Smyer in 1941. During World War II she traveled extensively with her Army Air Corp husband. They lived in Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, North Dakota and New York as well as New Mexico. Both Ms. Smyer and her husband continued to have a life long interest in travel. Throughout her life she was an avid reader and lover of theatre. In addition, Ruth was always very civically active in the Albuquerque Community - serving on many boards and with enumerable charitable organizations. For many years she also worked with her husband in their family business, an insurance and real estate agency. Ruth was preceded in death by her son, Paul Anthony Smyer Jr. in 1980, her husband of over 58 years, Paul in 2000 and her brother, William Klein, Jr. in 2005. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Myrna R. Smyer and son-in-law, Carlton W. Canaday of Albuquerque, her granddaughter, Sherryl Smyer Pratt and her husband Glenn Pratt, two great-grandchildren, Lauren Marie and Eric Paul of Frisco, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews, and loving friends. Ruth will certainly be missed and remembered with great fondness by all who knew her. In accordance with Ruth's wishes, memorial contributions may be made in her name to "Once Upon a Theatre", 13170-B Central Ave. SE #130, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Once Upon a Theatre is a New Mexico non-profit organization that brings the joy and academic stimulus of quality live theatre to many low income children in central New Mexico.