Cleora Patricia Ruby Eckhout

1922 – 2015 Former Corvallis resident Cleora Patricia “Pat” Ruby Eckhout peacefully passed away on April 27, 2015, at her home in Milwaukie. Pat was born in 1922 in Walla Walla, Washington, to Cleo and Adele Ruby, now deceased. She grew up in the Northeast Portland area and graduated from the Oregon School of Commerce in 1940. She worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before enlisting in the U.S. Coast Guard SPARs in 1944, during World War II. Pat returned to Oregon and attended Oregon State College, where she was elected secretary of the student government and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in home economics. It was at OSC where Pat met her future husband, Willie. They were married in 1950 and resided in Corvallis until 1951, when Willie returned to active duty with the U.S. Navy. They had four beautiful daughters and lived in the Philippines, Okinawa, Virginia, Maryland and California. In addition to being involved in the activities of her children, Pat taught English to Okinawans, served as president of the Fort Meade Officers’ Wives Club, and was a teacher in the public schools and the San Diego Skills Center. Pat and Willie retired in 1977 and moved back to Corvallis. Pat stayed active in the Assistance League of Corvallis and Benton Hospice Service, and was president of the Alpha Gamma Delta Alumni group. She enjoyed stained glass, gardening and making gifts for her grandchildren. In 2007, Pat and Willie moved to Milwaukie. Despite her declining mobility and health, Pat maintained her keen wit, wonderful sense of humor and insatiable curiosity about the world. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmont Sylvester Eckhout; and her daughter Cheryl Marie Matchinske. She is survived by daughters Kathy Eckhout Joy and her husband, Larry, Lori Eckhout and her partner, Steve Charleboix, and Terri Lockett and her husband, Greg; son-in-law Robert Matchinske; brother Bruce Ruby and his wife, Lois; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren, with one more due in July. A private service will take place May 8 at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. The family invites friends to a celebration of Pat’s life at 2 p.m. May 9 at The Springs at Clackamas Woods in Milwaukie. Pat will be buried next to Willie on May 12 in a private graveside ceremony with military honors at Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Providence Hospice, 6410 N.E. Halsey St., Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213.

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Cleora Patricia Ruby Eckhout

July 11, 1922 - April 27, 2015