Ruby Mae Tytran

Ruby Mae Tytran of St. Clair Shores, MI passed away on 8/24/23 after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her parents, Irene and Maxel Evans, and her husband, Antoine Marcel Tytran, in addition to many aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Mark) Hillebrand of St. Clair Shores, MI, Cheryl (Jeff) Palomaki of Endicott, NY, and Stephen (Jeanine) Tytran of Raleigh, NC, along with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Thomas (Maria) Hillebrand, John, Harvey and Blaire Mae Hillebrand, Matthew (Carolyn) Hillebrand and Evan Tytran. She is also survived by her sisters-in law and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Ruby was born in Danville, IL and moved to the Detroit area as a young teenager. She graduated from Southeastern High School followed by an additional bookkeeping course before starting her working life at Brigg's Manufacturing, which then transitioned to the Chrysler Corporation. Ruby enjoyed her time as a working woman, and began her life-long interest in travel by taking trips with her girlfriend Dorothy, including to Niagara Falls and NYC to see a show at the Tropicana Nightclub with cousin Mildred.

Ruby met her husband, Antoine (Tony), through her best friend, Sophie Barbeau, who lived next door to the Titran family on Fairview Street in Detroit. She and Tony married in 1954 and moved into their house in St. Clair Shores in 1956, starting their family in 1958.

While Ruby and Tony raised their family, Ruby also pursued her interests in travel, photography and gardening, excelling in all. She and Tony traveled to many National Parks, some (including her favorite, Yosemite) multiple times, as well as driving to Alaska and the Pacific coast several times (more often than not with Ruby behind the wheel). While traveling, Ruby practiced her photography, while Tony practiced carrying her tripod and lenses. She captured many great shots and filled her house with her travel photographs. After Tony passed on February 9, 1996, she continued traveling with friends and her children/grandchildren (often shepherding the entire family on wonderful group vacations). She also made multiple trips to Europe, with the highlight being her trip to Paris, which she loved.

Along with traveling, she also spent countless hours in her garden, which included many raised beds, a pond with waterfall, and outdoor large gauge railroad. She was very particular about plant placement and was known for moving plants multiple times (five!) to get them "just right". She was also a big Star Wars fan and saw many of the movie premieres with one or more of her grandchildren.

Ruby was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. In accordance with Ruby's wishes, there will be no public service. To honor Ruby's life, please consider making a donation to the National Park Association, The National Park Service, or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Also, please consider planting her favorite flower, the hydrangea, somewhere in your garden to honor and remember her.