The purpose of human life is to love with compassion, to serve and nourish the will to help others. Having completed her purpose with beauty and grace, our beloved Ruth Rabalais slipped from this earthly realm to eternal life on June 13th in Rogers, AR. She will be missed by all those she touched with her presence in this life. 

We will miss her infectious smile, her positive attitude which stemmed from a love of life and learning, her integrity and her most kind and generous heart. 

Born to James Counihan and Ruth Douglas Shealy in Altadena, CA she went on to live in all the major regions of the United States. From the Pacific coast (CA) to the East Coast (MA and VA), to the Midwest (WI) and the South (LA, FL and AR). 

Ruth graduated from Framingham Teachers College in Massachusetts where she studied nutrition and graduated with a Teaching degree. She was passionate about her love of teaching young children and dedicated her lifetime to this career. She studied further and became immersed in the Montessori method which she introduced in the many Pre-K teaching positions she held throughout multiple Catholic schools. In addition to the school setting, Ruth studied the history of the Williamsburg, VA area where she lived for a time, and spent several years as a Historical Interpreter teaching visitors and conducting tours of the Colonial Williamsburg living history area. 

Along with her passion for teaching young children, Ruth’s highest priorities were Faith and Family. She married Ronald J. Rabalais in 1951 and together they raised four children until his death in May 1993. 

Consistent with her deep love of life and learning, Ruth enjoyed travel. She embraced new experiences with travels to Europe with her husband. And she absolutely delighted in the many trips she took with her brother, Jeremiah Counihan and her sister-in-law Simonne which included China, South America, Egypt and the Holy Land. 

Ruth is survived by her four children: Richard (Mary) Rabalais, Nokomis, Florida, Ruth Rabalais Spenner (Don) Kansas City, Missouri, Rhonda Malanche, Racine, Wisconsin, Robert Rabalais, Rogers, Arkansas; 4 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Al Rabalais (Michelle) and her cherished brother Jeremiah Counihan.

 In accordance with her wishes, there will be a funeral Mass at her church home of the last twenty years, Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, Florida; this will take place when the Cathedral becomes available in the Spring of 2026.

In lieu of flowers Donations can be made to Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School Preschool. Please include Ruth’s name on the memo line.  Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements. To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.