Kathryn Rubin
May 12, 1923 – May 14, 2018
A Life Well Lived
Kathryn Heyman was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Mina and Louis
Heyman on May 12, 1923. She joined her sister, Bertha (Heyman)
Danoff, who was seven years older. Kathryn’s parents emigrated from
Germany to the United States early in the twentieth century. Kathryn’s
father was a merchant in New Mexico and her mother was a housewife,
raising their two daughters. Louis died in 1939 when Kathryn was 15
years old. Her mother died in 1961 at age 67.
Kathryn, Bertha and their mother owned a hat shop, Bertha’s Shoppe, in
Albuquerque on Central Avenue for many years. Bertha and Mina were
milliners, and Kathryn got her start selling and being the outward
face of the store. Known for their customer service and quality
craftmanship, the Heyman women outfitted customers of all walks of
life in Albuquerque with fine hats during the Depression era and
later.
Kathryn grew up riding horses, doing well in school, and had many
friends. She participated in neighborhood antics and loved being
mischievous. From a young age, people took a liking to her and she
always found a soft spot in the hearts of her elders and peers. She
graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1940. She was known in her
communities as a kind leader and had an infectious laugh. She met Leon
Rubin from Raton, NM. They were introduced by a traveling salesman who
knew Leon’s and Kathryn’s families in their respective communities.
They married on January 6, 1946. Leon had just returned from WWII and
joined his father and brother in running the family business, Rubin’s,
a successful clothing store in Raton. Kathryn and Leon were married
for close to 67 years before Leon passed away on January 1, 2013, one
day short of his 93rd birthday.
They raised their two sons, Randolph and Ronald in Raton. There, the
Rubins provided a wonderful life for their family, loving the ease of
a small town and being a part of the business and social aspects of
the community. They were involved in many organizations both locally
and statewide. Kathryn and Leon were well-regarded business owners,
running Rubin’s Family Clothiers until its closing in 2011 (the store
was open for 95 years!), R&R Shoe Store, Willow Springs Mercantile and
Sports Arena with their son, Randy, and the Del Rose.
Kathryn was awarded the Hurst Award as a Jewish Pioneer of New Mexico
on June 4, 2017, and received this honor in Santa Fe, witnessed by
many friends and family, being only the 19th individual to receive it.
She was also the head of her Jewish synagogue in Trinidad, Colorado,
Temple Aaron for close to 30 years, maintaining and improving the
structure with the help of History Colorado and Colorado
Preservations, Inc. She was a Paul Harris Fellow in Colorado Springs
at the Downtown Rotary Club where her Ron serves as president. Kathryn
was named to the Trinidad State Junior College Foundation’s Hall of
Fame in 2013 and was on the Educational Foundation Board for over 20
years.
In Raton she was a member of Pick and Shovel, Eastern Star, Raton
Friends of Music, Community Concert Association and PEO, as well as a
Cub Scout Den Mother while Randy and Ron were growing up. For over
fifty years, she was a member of the Seventh Street Coffee Club, a
Friday lunch group, and a bridge club. She was a life member of
Hadassah. As well as donating her time, she was philanthropic and
generous to numerous causes and families.
Kathryn spent her final seven years at MacKenzie Place in Colorado
Springs with Leon until his death. Kathryn was considered the “mayor”
of MacKenzie Place because of her interest and involvement in the
people who lived there and her help with ideas to improve senior
living.
Kathryn had many friends and family all over the country, but
especially in Colorado and New Mexico. She made a video recording of
her life a few years ago entitled “A Life Well Lived” that will serve
as her legacy for years to come. She was always grateful for her
family, long life, and her many blessing that followed her throughout
her life. Family and friends meant everything to Kathryn.
Her mind was sharp until the very end of her life. Kathryn will be
remembered for her generosity, love of people and their personal
lives, and helping her friends and extended family with anything she
could do to make their lives better and happier. She had an uncanny
sense for remembering people, facts, figures and dates. She had a
wonderful sense of humor and a remarkable memory of almost everything
in her life and the lives of others. She died saying she lived a
happy, full life and didn’t have regrets.
Kathryn is survived by her two sons, Randy and Ron, and their
families: Randy’s two children Nina and Benjamin, living in
California; and Ron and his wife Karen (Berenstein) and their two
children Gillian (Dan Rollins) Rubin-Rollins of Colorado Springs, and
Daniel (Tammy) and their children, Reizy, Shloimy, Rochel, Moishe, and
Yossi of Beitar, Israel, and many nieces, nephews, and other family
members.
A celebration of Kathryn’s life was held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in
Trinidad, CO at Temple Aaron Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations:
Temple Aaron
℅ Ron Rubin
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
New Mexico Jewish Historical Society
Trinidad State Junior College
Educational Foundation
or a charity of your choice.
