MAKARY, Ruth G.

Ruth G. Makary, 79, of Peoria, AZ passed away on September 3, 2006. She was born to John and Lois Gibbon of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1926. Ruth was always a dancer. In Pittsburgh in the mid sixties, she formed the Swinging Mothers and started Step Sessions, a program of ballroom dance lessons for Junior High kids. In 1992, she established The Boot Scooters, a country line dance performance group here in Peoria. In addition, she was involved in the Parkwood Church women's organization in various capacities for over 20 years, as well as meals on wheels and many other volunteer positions in both Pittsburgh and Peoria. She and William (Bill) retired to Peoria from Pittsburgh in 1989, where she continued to teach dancing. After moving to Arizona, she became interested in Country Western line dancing and performed at many local functions with her Boot Scooters. One of the group's highlight performances was dancing in the Fiesta Bowl parade. She continued to lead this group until the end of 2005. Per her wishes, she stayed at her home throughout her long battle with Pancreatic cancer. She passed away at 2:00pm at Boswell Hospital with her loved ones at her side. She is survived by her younger brother, John, who still resides in Pittsburgh, her husband, William Makary, whom she married October 8, 1947, their two children, Vaughn Makary, 57, of Naperville, IL. and Sandra Odell, 54, of San Diego, CA., and her four Granddaughters, Meghan Makary Kanzer, 32, Tudor Makary Dixon, 29, Heidi Schubert, 19, and Wendy Schubert, 16. A memorial service was held at the Congregational Church of Sun City, 18401 99th Avenue, Sun City on Friday September 8. Best Funeral Home, 9380 West Peoria Ave, (623) 486-1955 Contributions may be sent in memory of Ruth G. Makary to the T-Gen Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Research Program, 400 North 5th Street, Suite 1650, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Published in The Arizona Republic on 9/7/2006.