Ruby Hiroko Matsubara

Ruby Hiroko Matsubara at the age of 79 passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday, Dec 12, 2016 at Somerford Place. Ruby was born August 23, 1937 to Joichi and Ayano Hirabayashi in Syracuse, Utah. She was the youngest of 6 children. In 1948, Ruby and her family moved to Lindsay, Ca. Ruby graduated from Strathmore Union High School in 1955 and from Fresno City College in 1957. After graduation, Ruby worked at Security Title and later the Fresno County Property Tax Assessor.

Ruby met her loving husband Ray at a college dance and they were married on November 5, 1960. They had two children, son Greg and daughter Cheryl. Once the kids were in school Ruby went back to Fresno City College and later Fresno State University and earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 1976. She worked at the VA Medical Center for 21 years as an RN and night supervisor in the Emergency Room.

After retiring, Ruby enjoyed traveling to many places with her family such as Hong Kong, China, Japan, Mexico, Canada, France, Italy, Hawaii, Alaska, and the East and West Coasts. She truly valued the time spent with family as she and Ray hosted many family dinners and gatherings. Ruby’s two favorite activities were going to her grandchildren’s sporting events and cooking. She was a fabulous cook and everyone will remember her delicious stews, casseroles, cakes and pies.

Ruby is survived by her husband Ray; son, Greg and wife Gayle, daughter Cheryl and her husband Dar; 5 grandchildren Mason, Erin, Phoebe, Megan and Nikki; and sister Mary Matsubara and brother Tommy Hirabayashi; and proceeded by her parents, sister Jean Ishida and brothers Ko and Roy Hirabayashi.

The family would like to thank the staff at Somerford Place for the wonderful care they gave Ruby over the years and the staff at Hinds Hospice for the providing compassionate support and care in her final days.

A Memorial service for Ruby will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 9:30am at the Fresno Buddhist Dharma Center, 2690 E. Alluvial Ave, Clovis.