Shirley H. Ruby

Shirley was born in Schenectady, NY, and grew up in Syracuse, NY, until her senior year of high school when her family returned to Schenectady. She graduated in the first graduation class of Niskayuna High School and then attended Duke University in NC where she graduated with an RN degree. She was married to John Allen and lived in Liverpool, NY, where she raised her three children, Katrina, Jack, and David. In 1979, she and her children moved to Stuart, FL, to be near her parents, Charles and Francis Heiden. She worked as the Director of Nursing at several psychiatric hospitals in St. Lucie County, and attended classes at Florida Institute of Technology, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Health Service Management in 1990. She retired in 1996 to Jensen Beach, FL, and lived at the Regency Island Dunes.

Besides her parents, children, and grandchildren, her true loves were attending a craft fair, where she would spend all day going to every booth, getting to know every vendor, and leaving with a basket full of “treasures” that she shared with friends and family; sitting on her brother and sister-in-law’s dock on the side of Lake George, NY, soaking up the beauty and fresh air; attending Sunday services at churches in her communities where she was passionate about hymnal music; and giving her time and resources to others.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Katrina (Tina) Allen-Lynch, her children Mary and Mark, and her husband Joseph of Winter Springs, FL; her son, John (Jack) Allen and his wife Jodie, and their children Emma, Olivia, and Lucas of Leesburg, VA; her son, David Allen and his wife Tammy, and their children Dawson, Morgan, and Camden of Denton, TX; her brother, Chuck Heiden and his wife Janis; and two nephews, their wives, and their children. She was predeceased by her second husband, Thomas Ruby, and her parents.

We want to thank the wonderful caregivers and hospice personnel for comforting her last days and guiding her home to the Lord.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 3rd at 3:30 PM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 501 E. Mitchell Hammock Road, Oviedo, FL, 32765.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Oceanographic Society at https://www.floridaocean.org/donate