Jean (Houghtaling) Rubin

Jean Day Rubin passed away on May 14, 2026.
Jean Mae Houghtaling was born in New Berlin, NY on May 16, 1931 to Hugh Foote Houghtaling and Beulah Elizabeth Dimorier. She graduated from Richfield Springs (NY) Central School in 1948, and married William Moore Day in September 1953. Daughter Cynthia Joyce arrived in 1956, followed by son William Hugh in 1958, while Bill attended Denver University.

In January 1961, Jean and Bill bought The Economy 5 Cents to $1 Store in Woodstock, VT: a two-aisle variety store that carried everything from stationery to sewing goods to clothing, housewares, toys, records, candy, and more. Jean did much of the buying and merchandising, and Bill trusted Jean's "gut" when big decisions had to be made.
In 1974, Bill died from complications related to lung cancer surgery. In the years that followed, Jean's imagination kept the two-aisle dime store relevant, bringing in more ladies' casual wear and exclusive Vermont-themed t-shirts. She worked hard, enjoyed life, and found a new love in Saul Rubin, whom she married in 1979.
Jean and Saul put down roots in the West by buying a house in Green Valley, Arizona in 1987. There they enjoyed many new friends, concerts in Tucson, summer trips back East, travel with their grandsons, and cruises all over the world. In 2008, Jean and Saul gave up the dream home they had designed and built in Green Valley to downsize in Sierra Vista, Arizona, closer to daughter Cindy and her family. Following a brief illness, Saul passed away in 2017.

Jean was a fierce champion for all women making their way in the world. She and Saul were generous benefactors to the educations of their children and grandchildren. Her love of reading was a constant through her life.

Jean is survived by brother John D. Houghtaling; daughter Cynthia Normandeau (Andrew), son William H. Day (Paige Hartsell), and step-sons John Rubin (Kristina Carroll-Porczynski) and Bruce Rubin (Jane); grandsons Loren Normandeau (Meghan Lushbaugh) and Brian Normandeau (Samantha Casaz Normandeau); step-grandchildren Jessica Delgrosso (Dante), Sukha Hartsell-DuPont (RJ Stratton), and Vaughn DuPont; great-grandson Gavin Normandeau; and step-great-grandsons Luca and Remy Delgrosso. Jean was predeceased by brother James Houghtaling and husbands William M. Day and Saul Rubin.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean (Houghtaling) Rubin, please visit our floral store.