Ruthie Shafer Cahill (64) of Sonora, was released into the glory of the Lord Wednesday, February 10, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. Ruthie was born August 2, 1945, to Margaret Fauntleroy Shafer and Walter Pressly Shafer, Jr. She grew up in a loving family, the oldest of four siblings and graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. Growing up, she spent summers in her mother's hometown of Alta Vista, Virginia, on the sandy beaches of Port Aransas, and at the ranch of special friends near Del Rio. She then went on to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned an associates degree in art. Two years later, she earned her bachelor's degree in art from Texas Tech University. While in Lubbock she met Carl James (Jimmy) Cahill, Jr., of Sonora, Texas and they married on January 28, 1967. The couple moved to Sonora shortly after they both graduated from college. Although she grew up in San Antonio, her heart has always been in West Texas and the Devil's River was a favorite retreat for Ruthie and her family over the years. Ruthie lived a quiet life filled with the joys of living in the country. She loved all of nature and often found it to be the subject of her art and photography. She felt a special connection with the animals in her life and was especially fond of her dogs. Ruthie was passionate about saving all things, great and small. She was intent on enhancing the lives of all creatures. She was a loyal and dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church and a gentle and wise servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ruthie was a strong, independent, beautiful, conservative woman, who climbed a great mountain and at the top, took flight on the wings of angels. Ruthie is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Jimmy Cahill; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Terry Owen; son and daughter-in-law, Chacho and Dawn Cahill; grandchildren: Rebeckah, Reagan and Gage Owen, and Lane and Carson Cahill; mother-in-law, Wanda Neville; and sister-in-law, Diana Condra; all of Sonora. Survivors in San Antonio include her mother, Margaret Shafer; her brothers and their wives, Pressly and Kayrene Shafer, and Jimmy and Donna Shafer; and her sister, Susie Shafer. Ruthie will be deeply missed by a large extended family, including many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. A memorial was held Saturday, February 13, 2010, at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Sonora. Arrangements were by Kerbow Funeral Home of Sonora. Donations may be made to The L.M.H. Hospital Auxiliary Chapel Fund, P.O. Box 455, Sonora, Texas 76950, The Helping Hands Fund at the First National Bank, P.O. Box 798, Sonora, Texas 76950, or the Ministerial Alliance, P.O. Box 1015, Sonora, Texas 76950 or the charity of your choice.
Charles "Hop" Fuhrmann
Ruthie Shafer Cahill (64) of Sonora, was released into the glory of the Lord Wednesday, February 10, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. Ruthie was born August 2, 1945, to Margaret Fauntleroy Shafer and Walter Pressly Shafer, Jr. She grew up in a loving family, the oldest of four siblings and graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. Growing up, she spent summers in her mother's hometown of Alta Vista, Virginia, on the sandy beaches of Port Aransas, and at the ranch of special friends near Del Rio. She then went on to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned an associates degree in art. Two years later, she earned her bachelor's degree in art from Texas Tech University. While in Lubbock she met Carl James (Jimmy) Cahill, Jr., of Sonora, Texas and they married on January 28, 1967. The couple moved to Sonora shortly after they both graduated from college. Although she grew up in San Antonio, her heart has always been in West Texas and the Devil's River was a favorite retreat for Ruthie and her family over the years. Ruthie lived a quiet life filled with the joys of living in the country. She loved all of nature and often found it to be the subject of her art and photography. She felt a special connection with the animals in her life and was especially fond of her dogs. Ruthie was passionate about saving all things, great and small. She was intent on enhancing the lives of all creatures. She was a loyal and dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church and a gentle and wise servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ruthie was a strong, independent, beautiful, conservative woman, who climbed a great mountain and at the top, took flight on the wings of angels. Ruthie is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Jimmy Cahill; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Terry Owen; son and daughter-in-law, Chacho and Dawn Cahill; grandchildren: Rebeckah, Reagan and Gage Owen, and Lane and Carson Cahill; mother-in-law, Wanda Neville; and sister-in-law, Diana Condra; all of Sonora. Survivors in San Antonio include her mother, Margaret Shafer; her brothers and their wives, Pressly and Kayrene Shafer, and Jimmy and Donna Shafer; and her sister, Susie Shafer. Ruthie will be deeply missed by a large extended family, including many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. A memorial was held Saturday, February 13, 2010, at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Sonora. Arrangements were by Kerbow Funeral Home of Sonora. Donations may be made to The L.M.H. Hospital Auxiliary Chapel Fund, P.O. Box 455, Sonora, Texas 76950, The Helping Hands Fund at the First National Bank, P.O. Box 798, Sonora, Texas 76950, or the Ministerial Alliance, P.O. Box 1015, Sonora, Texas 76950 or the charity of your choice.