Ruby Marie Downer

Ruby was the cherished Mother of Judith Renteria and a loving Mother-in-Law to Ray Renteria. Ruby was a devoted Grandmother to their sons, Joseph and Douglas. For Ruby, there was no greater joy than when visited by Joseph, his wife, Cindy and their children, Isabella and Rodrigo, and by Douglas, his wife, Yadira, and their children, Angelina, Emily and Elizabeth. She loved shopping for all her grandkids, and watching the delight in their eyes at birthdays and Christmas. Ruby added the magic to many children's holidays throughout her life.

Ruby was born June 3, 1929 to Ruben and Margaret Linder, and in her childhood, toys were a rarity. As the oldest, she had a lot of responsibility caring for her brothers, Lloyd, Ronald, Donald, and her sister Jewel (Judy). But her mother, Maggie, gave her a great gift; a love for God. God led Ruby to the man of her dreams, Doug, who brought her the life-long gift of laughter. They were wed in 1952 and lived happily together 62 years by "always putting the other person's needs first". Douglas was in the Navy, but they wanted to put down roots near Maggie, so they moved from Florida to Downey, California after Judith was 3. (A second child, Scotty, had died shortly after birth.) In Downey, a son, Craig, was born. Doug and Ruby ensured that Craig and Judith knew their distant family members in Ohio, Massachusetts and Florida by traveling across country frequently. These long trips also kept the Downers very close and gave them all a great love for our nation.

Meanwhile, Doug became a Master Chief eventually serving 2 years at the Pentagon until he retired and became an auto-body teacher in Norwalk. Through God's loving comfort, family and friends, Doug, Ruby and Judith survived the devastating loss of their precious son and brother, Craig, from an accident in 1982. Having two grandsons toddling around then was a great blessing to all.

After their retirements, Ruby and Doug moved to Cherry Valley, sharing a lilac farm with Judith and Ray and their sons. Ruby was delighted to spend the spring with hat and shears, harvesting lilacs for friends or customers. Ruby loved her church, Yucaipa Church of God, where she played the piano and handled the accounting. Ruby loved Hawaii and she and Doug traveled there often, usually showing others around the islands. She also enjoyed working on her genealogy, reading, gardening, and making fudge for her grandkids.

Ruby's final month was spent at home, surrounded by loving family, including her cousins Marilyn Bowman and Shawn McConachie from Ohio, and her siblings Judy and Don. The family is so grateful for their help, loving care and constant support.

Ruby is survived by her spouse, Doug; her daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Ray Renteria; her grandsons, Joe and Doug and their families; her brother Donald Linder; her sister Judy; a sister-in-law Ella, 22 nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by sons Scotty and Craig, brothers Lloyd and Ronald, and a great grandson, Gabriel.

Her funeral memorial includes a viewing Friday, May 9, 5:30-9 pm and services May 10th, 11 am at Weaver Mortuary in Beaumont, with private family burial May 14th at Riverside National Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to the Arthritis Foundation.