Mrs. Ruby Rose

Passed away suddenly at Victoria Hospital on Thursday, September 28th, 2006, Mrs. Ruby Sylvia Rose (nee King), of London, in her 70th year. Survived by her loving husband Franklyn Rose, daughters Marlene, Rosalee, Barbara and step daughter Margaret, 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 6 sisters, 5 brothers, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and other extended family in Jamaica, England, the United States and Canada. Friends may call at the Needham Funeral Chapel, 520 Dundas St., London (519-434-9141) on Friday, October 13th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. Service at Egerton St. Baptist Church, 209 Egerton St., London on Saturday, October 14th at 9:30 am. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Lupus Foundation of Ontario (1-800-368-8377) would be appreciated.

Eulogy for Ruby Sylvia Rose (nee King)

Ruby Sylvia Rose (nee King) was born on June 16, 1937 in Bellefield, Manchester, Jamaica. Her parents were Norman King and Elizabeth Morgan. Ruby was the third of fifteen children.

Ruby attended Bellefield All Age School in Manchester until the age of fifteen.

Throughout her childhood, she was described as very kind and outgoing. Although she was the 3rd of 15 children, she took on the role of big sister, protecting her siblings when deemed necessary.

She left Manchester at the tender age of 16 years to reside in Kingston, Jamaica. There she met Okaldy Levy and the union produced four (4) beautiful children.

They are Marlene (aka Sweetie), Rosalee (aka Plummie), Kerith (deceased, aka Mas Ker) and Barbara (aka Yanka).

Ruby was a loving and caring mother to her children, always wanting to provide a better way of life for them. It was on that premise that she decided to leave the children with her parents in Manchester to pursue better employment opportunities in Kingston.

During that difficult period, she managed to visit the children regularly, to spend quality time with them so that they would remember her as their mother.

On February 10, 1973, Ruby migrated to Saskatoon, Canada. She found Saskatoon to be very lonely, as there were no relatives or friends living there. After a few months she moved to Toronto to be closer to her siblings and other relatives.

Ruby met Franklyn Rose in Toronto, June 1973 and they were married on July 27, 1974. From this union, Ruby gained her stepdaughter, Margaret.

Ruby and Franklyn moved from Toronto to St. Thomas, Ontario and lived there for 8 years. Ruby worked at The United Technology in St. Thomas.

They finally settled in London, Ontario in 1981 and Ruby commuted to United Technology until her retirement.

Ruby, affectionately known as Rubs, Mommy, Sister Ruby, Auntie Ruby and Cousin Ruby was deeply loved. She was the kindest, sweetest person to her relatives and friends. She had the innate ability to make everyone feels welcome in her home. There was never a person who visited her and leave her house without eating something she cooked.. Her favourite words were “you haffi eat something” or “yupp it up”. In Jamaican terms “ she would give you the last piece of clothing on her back”

The year 2001 is a year we will forever remember. Ruby attended her daughter Marlene’s wedding on April 28, 2001 in Toronto. Most of us who had not seen her for a while use the opportunity to catch up on old times. She was her usual funny self, giving everyone jokes and loving and hugging everyone. We will forever cherish those moments.

On May 20, 2001, she was hospitalized in London in very serious condition. Her family was told by her doctors, that she would not survive that night. Well, she proved the doctors and everyone in the hospital under her care wrong. The Doctors were all shocked when they arrived the following morning for their rounds to find her alive. She stayed in the hospital until she was well enough to go home.

Her surviving was indeed a miracle and we thank God for giving us 5 more wonderful years with her.

On September 28, 2006, Ruby moved on to be with the Lord her Maker and to join other family members there. They are, her Father, Mother, Son, Brother and her Father-in law.

Ruby is survived by her husband, 3 daughters, 1 step daughter, 10 grand children, 7 great grand children, 6 sisters, 5 brothers, 26 nieces,18 nephews and many relatives and friends.

We love you Ruby. We will miss you. May your soul rest in peace!

In Loving Memory

Ruby Rose

1937 – 2006

I am Home in heaven, dear ones;

All’s so happy, all so bright!

There’s perfect joy and beauty

In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief are over,

Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever,

Safely Home in heaven at last.

You must not grieve so sorely,

For I love you dearly still;

Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,

Pray to trust our Father’s will.

Dear Ruby, things are not the same since you left me to join our Saviour. My love forever endures until we meet again, and I know that you, my angel, are watching over me.

Love Franklyn