Ruby Beatrice Selleck Payne

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Ruby Beatrice Payne. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Ruby was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Ruby knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.       Her parents were John and Gertrude Selleck. Ruby was raised in Toronto, Ontario. Even as a youngster, Ruby learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.      As a young girl, Ruby was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Ruby was raised with four siblings. She had one older sister, two older brothers and one younger brother. Ruby had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Ruby, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.      Ruby was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Ruby was a member of a group, her interaction helped to keep others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Ruby came to expect her high standards of performance. While growing up, some of her best friends were Kay Williams, and Shirley and Jim Frye. Later in life, she became friends with Darlene, Angie, Hilda, Joyce, and Dorothy.      An objective and conscientious individual, Ruby reveled in the security of her family. On March 15, 1946 Ruby exchanged wedding vows with Robert Payne in their home, located at 889 Woodbine Avenue in East York, Ontario. One of Ruby’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.      Ruby was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Ruby would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Ruby was blessed with two girls, Barb Goldstone and Shirley Chillman. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, David, Kelly, Melissa, Dustin and Kevin, plus five great grandchildren Kristofer, Alysha, Brandon, Bailey, Makayla, and soon-to-be Kaitlyn.      Ruby approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favourite pursuits were knitting, gardening, and woodworking. She was also content to enjoy cowboy movies when relaxing.       Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Ruby to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were synchronized swimming and golf.      She was generous with her time and energy. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her an asset. Throughout her later years, Ruby was an active member of The Legion, Branch 258 and also her Bowling Leagues.      When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Ruby used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Ruby had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favourite vacations included camping.      Ruby was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Two of Ruby’s favourites were Sandy, her cat (for 10 years) and Rex her dog (for 13 years). Her family was rounded out by her ducks, Heathcliffe and Gertrude. Ruby always had birds.      When Ruby’s retirement finally arrived in 1991, she was well prepared. She used her critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. In retirement, she found new pleasure in gardening and woodworking. In many ways, Ruby loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.      Ruby passed away on September 8, 2009 at Lakeridge Health-Oshawa Hospital. Ruby died of natural causes. She is survived by her children and grandchildren. Services were held at Oshawa Funeral Home. Ruby was laid to rest in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough, Ontario.      All who knew her would agree that Ruby was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Ruby Beatrice Payne did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.