A family get together, possibly for Grandma Harris' Birthday? We were all so young!Aunt Ruby is just above Grandma Harris, they are both just left of center.
Memories of Aunt Ruby (anyone feel free to add!):
I remember Ruby coming to my birthday parties. One year she gave me a Barbie Motor Home, I loved this gift and played with it for hours. I still have it. She came to my baptism as well, and has always been very supportive and active in the lives of those around her.
It is amazing how she could treat everyone like they were so important, remembering so many things about so many people. Ben was always impressed that she remembered what he was doing with school and work when she had so many other people to care about.
I have always loved the Christmas and Easter get togethers that Ruby hosted. I loved the Easter egg hunts and rolling eggs across the grass with our noses. I've always looked forward to the family Christmas party and getting to see Santa, these were especially good when Charlie was around.
I was very happy that Ruby was able to make it to my and Ben's wedding ceremony. She has felt more like a Grandma to me than an aunt and this meant a lot to both of us.
We'll both miss her greatly, but at the same time are glad she finally gets to be with Charlie again. They always seemed to have such a great relationship and to love each other very much. I look forward to having our marriage be as great as I saw theirs.
(Shauna and Ben)I have such fond memories of Aunt Ruby growing up, as I am sure most of her nieces, nephews and grandchildren do. She had a special way of connecting with each of us as children and creating fun out of the most boring moments.
Some of my fondest memories were created on camping, deer hunting and fishing trips. Charlie and Ruby’s camper became the popular hangout for the children. Ruby knew all the best games to play, songs to sing, and she spent time inventing many projects for our entertainment. One of my favorite games to play with Aunt Ruby was the story game. She would write part of a story on a piece of paper and then roll the paper down to hide what was written, we would pass the paper around so we could each add to the story, at the end we would unroll it and read it out loud to discover the silly story we had created together. She never made the little ones feel like we were ever in the way. Looking back on these camping trips I think about how clever she was to quickly devise a simple scavenger hunt for us to go out collecting wildflowers, rocks, and leaves while she tended to meal preparation. She would always act interested to see and hear of the things we collected when we returned. There were constant smiles and laughter surrounding Aunt Ruby and Uncle Charlie.
Ruby was a spectacular party planner, always making sure there were activities to include everyone in the fun. At Easter, we all enjoyed gathering at Ruby and Charlie’s home in West Bountiful for hotdog and marshmallow roasting, and then promptly enjoy egg hunting with a scavenger hunt for the older children. At Christmas Ruby knew all the fun Christmas songs we children needed to sing to beckon our very own Santa Claus to visit. The games we played and her delicious recipes on the menu are now part of my family traditions.
Ruby was constantly in the service of others. As a very young child I remember wanting to get the Chicken pox so that Aunt Ruby would come for a visit. She brought with her a care package with a trove of activities to keep a sick and itchy child occupied and entertained while recovering. I was lucky enough to get the Chicken pox twice.
Ruby was truly an exemplary woman to have in our lives; bringing blessings to each of us with her kind and generous heart.
(Mindy)
