Ruth Ann Cansler

Ruth Ann Cansler was born February 23, 1946 in Hereford, Texas to Jim Bob and Ruth Allison. She was raised in Hereford with her brother Jim Allison, where she graduated from Hereford High School in 1964 before heading off to Baylor University and finishing at West Texas A&M.

While she was still in Junior High, Ruth Ann met the love of her life, Mack Cansler. The two carried on a long-distance relationship while Mack pursued his football career at Oklahoma University. Mack and Ruth Ann married August 26, 1967, and moved back to Hereford where they had their two beautiful children, daughter Allison and son Keith. In 1974, they moved to Austin, Texas where they raised both of their children and met many life-long friends.

After both children left for college, Ruth Ann began working as a receptionist at BMC Software. Soon after she was hired, Ruth Ann’s talents were realized and she was promoted to facilities director for Texas, as well as the East Coast, where she regularly visited cities such as New York, Chicago, and Boston. At her home base in Austin, Ruth Ann was beloved by her staff members, most of whom remained friends after her retirement. Later in her career, Ruth Ann was made director of European facilities and was able to travel abroad multiple times with her husband Mack, making special memories everywhere they went. Of their travels, the pair’s favorite location was Paris, France, a city they were blessed to return to multiple times.

Ruth Ann was the doting grandmother of four grandchildren, Abby, Avery, Brooke and Cody who lovingly called her “Daidy”. Above all else, she loved spending time with her family, whether it was on a vacation to her favorite place The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the beach in South Padre Island, or spending quality time together in Austin. Ruth Ann served in the choir at Riverbend church in Austin, where she was a member for 25 years. A lifelong singer with a beautiful soprano voice, Ruth Ann was able to nurture her gift while serving the church. Ruth Ann was raised with a strong faith and abiding love which she lived throughout her life. She was always helping others, leading local mission work, and sharing in her love of classic hymns.

Ruth Ann is preceded in death by her father, Jim Bob Allison, and her mother, Ruth Allison.

Ruth Ann is survived by her husband Mack Cansler of Austin, Texas; her daughter Allison Brown, Allison’s husband Craig, and their daughters Abby and Avery of Midland, Texas; her son Keith Cansler, Keith’s wife Melissa, and their children Brooke and Cody of Austin, Texas. Ruth Ann is also survived by her brother Jim Allison of Amarillo, Texas.

The celebration of Ruth Ann Cansler’s life will be held Tuesday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Riverbend Church Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.