Ruth Estelle Brink

Ruth Brink passed away at 99 years of age on Good Friday, April 6, at the Montebello Senior Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ruth was born July 4, 1907 in Blossom, Texas, the youngest of six children of Alexander P. and Rowena Black. She completed high school in Blossom and attended the University of Texas and then Sul Ross University in Alpine, where she graduated with a degree in Fine Arts. She taught choral music in several south Texas towns before accepting a teaching position in Marfa, Texas in 1942 where she met Charles Brink, her husband- to- be. Charles was in Marfa with the Army Corps of Engineers constructing airfields for pilot training during WW II. They were married in Marfa in 1943, and moved many times throughout Texas and New Mexico before the end of WW II. They moved to Las Cruces in 1945 immediately after the end of the war when Charles was assigned with the Corps of Engineers to begin work building White Sands Proving Ground. Ruth taught piano lessons in her home for many years and was influential in organizing the Las Cruces Music Teachers' Association. She also held office in the New Mexico Music Teachers' Association. She loved piano and teaching music, and many of her students remained lifelong friends. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the women's circle affiliated with the church. She lived in Las Cruces from 1945 until 2005 when she moved to Albuquerque to be near her son Chuck Brink and his wife Janey. She had many friends and fond memories, and her last days were filled with reminiscing about her many happy years in Las Cruces. She will be buried at the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery with her loving husband of 56 years, Charles Brink who passed away in December 1999. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 16, 2007 at Getz Funeral Home with Pastor Norm Story of First Presbyterian Church officiating. PDF Printable Version