Ruby Rexene Worrell M.D.

Our wonderful wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, Ruby Rexene Worrell M.D., passed away at home on November 25, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri, following a long battle with cancer. She was 70 years old and beloved by many.

Ruby (aka “Rex”) lived an inspiring and fearless life. She was born in 1955 to Artie Jane Denny and Howard Worrell. She attended Sheridan Highschool in Denver, Colorado and completed her Bachelor of Science at Metropolitan State University of Denver, after which she attended Ross University School of Medicine. On the path to fulfilling her lifelong and hard-earned dream of becoming a physician, she became one of the first female paramedics in the country at Denver General Hospital in the early 1970’s, blazing a trail for women in emergency medicine. She completed her residency in forensic pathology at Cook County Hospital and later served as a medical examiner for both Las Vegas and Nye County, Nevada and was the Medical Examiner of Mohave County Arizona for over a decade. Ruby loved being a forensic pathologist, a calling which she believed allowed her to speak for those who could no longer do so. During her incredible career, she gave a voice to many, investigating thousands of deaths and playing a critical role in solving a multitude of homicides.

Ruby had an exuberance for life and was serious about enjoying it. She was an avid scuba diver, roller blader, tennis player, an erstwhile motorcyclist, and even enjoyed the occasional round of golf. She was an adventurous global traveler, never missing a chance to explore the world, once flying to Canada and back in less than 24 hours just to see her favorite flautist in concert. It would be hard to name her favorite place, but she particularly loved Portugal, France, and the island of Dominica where she lived for several years.

She was also an incredibly talented artist with a diverse range of interests. She played both flute and piano, was an award-winning quilter, stained glass artist, and loved gourmet cooking, knitting, bird watching, and gardening. Among her greatest joys were her beloved pups, Bailey, Abby, Norman, Leah, and Penne.

Ruby is survived by her husband, Eric A. Dondich, daughters Joanna Myers (Nathan Lawrence) and Kara Bilstein, stepsons Taylor Dondich and James Klob (C.J. Klob), her siblings, Dennis Simpson (Dianne Senter), Edwin P. Simpson III (Darlene Brandt), Earl Simpson, Larry Worrell, Jerry “Travis” Worrell (Eve Worrell), J.D. “Judd” Sawyer, Connie Mooney, and her grandchildren Mateo Dondich, Gabriel Dondich, Anthony Dondich, and Emilia “Millie” Dondich, dearest friends Herb Myers, Ben and Gigi Lish, Joy and Lee Kimzey, Vivian Terbeek, and Rory Palmeri, and many more loving aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends that are too numerous to name but cherished by Ruby and her family.

A celebration of life will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 21, 2026, from 12:00-3:00pm at Gaetano’s Restaurant 10271S Eastern Ave #111, Henderson, NV 89052. All friends and family are welcome to come and celebrate the life and memory of Ruby Rexene Worrell M.D., an extraordinary woman.