Rubina Gallo was born in Oak Park Illinois January 30th 1940, she passed away August 4th, 2020. The date marks two days before her 54th Wedding Anniversary to my late father Joseph Gallo. Rubina is survived by her daughter Giada Gallo-Quiroz, her son-in-law Demian Quiroz
and her beloved granddaughter Helena Gallo-Quiroz.

Rubina moved to Tucson with her family from Melrose Park, IL in 1950. Rubi always recounted her early memories of attending the first Gem and Mineral with her late father Joseph Iatatrola, in 1954. The show was hosted at a school gymnasium in the Amphi school District. I am
confident this is where her love of gems and minerals stemmed from.

Rubina received her bachelor's degree in graphic design from the University of Arizona. Shortly after graduating, she went to Chicago where she had worked each summer at her family's store. That fall, post graduation, she was attempting to apply for graphic design work. The deal
breaker occurred when she was being blown down Michigan Ave with her giant portfolio in hand, catching her like a sail. The cold wind chilled her to the bone, and she returned to Tucson to get a teaching certification and thaw out. She always said she had become a "desert rat," Tucson was her home.

Rubina began teaching art in the 1960's, she taught for the first couple years from a cart, moving from school to school. She forged many friendships with fellow teachers at that time, and continued to maintain these relationships. Rubina continued teaching primarily elementary
age students until the year 2000 when she officially retired. She would come to my elementary school on occasion and do ceramics projects with my peers. Many of my friends still remember the awesome ceramics time with Mrs. Rubina and recount their memories fondly. Her creativity
impacted so many without her realizing.

Shortly after the start of her teaching career, she met her then future husband Joe Gallo and they were married in 1966. For a brief stint of time, they moved to Hollywood, CA where Rubi worked at Hanna-Barbera painting backgrounds for the cartoon the Fantastic Four. She always
took such pride telling stories about her experiences in the entertainment industry.

In the mid-1970's, after having been back in Tucson, Rubina received her MA in Art Education. She helped develop lessons under the Discipline Based Art Education model. She developed the concept for what is now Wildcat Art, a laboratory style course where art education students
practice and develop their teaching skills. In addition to taking art education graduate courses, she attended studio based classes where she honed her focus and love for stone sculpting. Again, this is where the early gem show influence trickled in. Some of my earliest memories
consisted of either her carving stone, talking on our old mustard colored rotary phone or attending art openings. My life was forever enriched by these moments.

Rubina continued stone sculpting until the late 1980's, shortly thereafter, she began focusing on jewelry making. She worked with wire and various findings to create one of a kind pieces that many people wear and enjoy. Her kind personality drew people to her and she made many friends while working in two different studio spaces over the course of fifteen or so years.

Rubina was able to celebrate the past eight years with her granddaughter Helena, she would always say they were "partners in crime." A fine example being, mom would bypass our limited sweets rule. She and Helena would always get a Cochita cookie or donut from La Estrella Bakery near her house. They would stay up late when Helena would have her sleepovers with "gran." Rubina would always ask specific questions that would engage Helena and show Helena she truly cared for her. She continued to speak with Helena in a similar manner over their
Facetime conversations.

She was always advocating for the arts and encouraged many creative types including myself to keep refining their skills. Rubi will be missed by droves of people in the arts, her teaching community and her family. Ultimately, she cared about people and made them feel comfortable,
we lost a treasure. Hopefully, she will manifest herself in ways specific to how you knew her, in a sunset, a wonderful work of art, anything that makes you think of her, keep your eyes open.

Written by Giada, her daughter

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her name to one of the many causes she
supported:

National Endowment for the Arts
American Civil Liberties Union
Spread the Vote
PBS/NPR
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Online services through Zoom will be held in early September, date is still TBA.
Please reach out to Giada Gallo-Quiroz or any contact who has informed you of her passing.
Instructions and specifics will be provided.