Ruby was the first born of 6 children of Charles Ethan “Charlie” and Josephine Margaret “Jo” Ray in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Ruby is survived by two younger brothers Duane Ray (Las Vegas, NV) and Carl Ray (Yampa, CO). Ruby’s younger sister Jan Grosshans (Eckert, CO), younger brothers Ed Ray (Nampa, ID) and Dale Ray (McCoy, CO), stepson Wilbur Leroy Hayne Jr. (Omaha, NE), great-grandson, Jayden Frandsen (Broomfield, CO) and great-granddaughter Emma Shields (Thornton, CO) preceded her in passing.
Ruby was raised on the family homestead on Conger Mesa, McCoy, CO. After leaving the ranch, Ruby led a varied life that included driving truck over-the-road with her first husband, Wilbur Leroy Hayne, Sr., tending bar, flagging traffic, being an elf at the Keebler Factory in Denver, working in a plastic mold factory, childcare services, and the first female oil worker (non-clerical) at Continental Oil Refinery (Conoco) in Commerce City, CO. After retiring from Conoco at age 62, Ruby began her second run at providing childcare services for another 14 years
Ruby is survived by many of her family – some of blood, some by choice. To Ruby, blood line did not matter. All were important to her. As such, Ruby is survived by 9 of 10 children: Abi Longwedel of Kremmling, CO, Susan (Joe) Hanson of Littleton, CO, Charles “Ed” (Kate) Hayne of Yampa, CO, Gary Garrison of Eaton, CO, Patricia ‘Patty’ Hayne of Springfield, MO, Deborah ‘Debi’ Hayne (Rich Shields) of Aurora, CO, Michael Hayne of Thornton, CO; Beverly (Mark) Shamley of Broomfield, CO and Cathleen (David) Morgan of Aurora, CO.
Ruby is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Kim (Putt) Seltzer, Chad (Michelle) Longwedel, Skylar (Samantha) Hayne, Joseph (Jane) Hanson, Sheila Ross, Mathew (Emily) Hayne, Meg (Niek Kievit) Hayne, Kim Fuselier, Andrew “Andy” Shields, Joseph (Angela) Shields, Nicholas (Kathy) Sours, Brittani (Greg) Edds, Tanishya Sours, Samantha Shamley, Tiffany (Matt Lira) Alonzi, Jennifer (Keith) Clements , Christina Wells); 22 great-grandchildren: Kendahl “KR” Longwedel, Nehemiah “Nehi” (Bailey Aumundson) Seltzer, Jericho “Coco” (William Skultka) Seltzer, Malcolm Seltzer, Zeke Seltzer, Season Marie Hayne, Gabriel Hanson Liam Hanson, Grace Weiss-Hanson, Geoffrey “Geoff” Ross, Christopher “CJ” Ross, Drew Ross, Oskar Kievit-Hayne, Drew Shields, Nick Carje, Isabelle Shields, Logan Lain, Cecilia Edds, Liam Lira, Isabella Lira, Aria Clements, and Daxton Frandsen; and 6 great-great-grandchildren:, Isaiah, Emmah & Zachariah “Zack” Longwedel, Violet Seltzer, William Skultka, Scarlet Ross.
Ruby may have left the ranch life behind her after graduating from Steamboat Springs High School on May 13, 1948; however, her internal cowgirl never left her soul. She looked forward to the visits from her brother Ed when he would bring his horses from Cassville MO and they would go horseback riding “up home” (Stillwater and the Flat Tops) in the Routt County National Forest, Colorado. Two things she wished for most prior to her demise was to eat a steak and go horseback riding with her ‘little brother Ed’ one more time. Maybe they can do that again now as they join each other in the hereafter.
In addition, her love of country music ran deep from the old timers like Ernest Tubbs, Hank Williams Sr., Hank Snow, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, to Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis, Marty Robbins, George Strait Brooks & Dunn, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson … her list of favorites could go on and on and on. When Ruby was nostalgic, she loved the music from the Big Band Era - Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Andrew Sisters, and more. During the quiet times, Ruby loved to read her westerns - a Louie L’Amour book was always near.
Not to be outdone, by the men in her life, Ruby loved Colorado sports. If a Colorado team was playing on the TV, everything else could wait until halftime or the 7-inning stretch. She could tell you almost anything about any Bronco, Rockies, Avalanche or Nugget player. If a game was on and you arrived for a visit, you just sat down and watched the game with her and chatted (when possible) between plays. There was always a bowl of popcorn made, a candy jar full of M&Ms, cookie jar full of cookies and something cold to drink in the frig - no matter when you showed up. If a game wasn’t playing, she’d offer to fix you a meal. You could often hear her say, “If you leave hungry, it’s your own d***ed fault”.
After retiring from childcare services for the second time at the age of 76, she spent her days tending her gardens, her Koi pond and being there for her family, neighbors and friends. Her 42 rose bushes were her pride and joy with the Koi pond running a solid second. Tending to her flowers and vegetable garden, feeding the fish, tending to the lily pads, cleaning the pond and waterfall and general yard work would fill her days from sunup to sundown. Then you could hear her say out loud ... to no one in particular… she wasn’t ready to quit yet.
Many things brought pleasure to Ruby and truly touched her soul: a beautiful sunrise, babies, the laughter of young children, a true red anything, her favorite flowers (roses, sweet peas, irises, pansies, and peonies), seeing her favorite birds (hummingbirds, blue jays and cardinals), a cup of hot coffee, sitting on her swing in the early morning or evening listening to her wind chimes and waterfall, going horseback riding, fishing with her grandsons, taking the grandkids camping, Lincoln & Lee, fresh tapioca pudding, cooking for a large crowd (more the merrier) and baking. Cheesecakes, puff pastries and specialty pastries were her favorite surprises for all to enjoy and almost any cookie or confection were prepared at Christmas. She’d start her ritual bake-a-thon right after Thanksgiving and wouldn’t finish her last batch until Christmas Eve. If you ever visited during this time, she wouldn’t let you leave without taking a sample of everything with you to enjoy and share with others.
If asked, Ruby would say her greatest accomplishment (besides her roses) was raising her children primarily as a single mother ensuring there was a roof over their heads, food in the cupboards, clothes on their backs and instilling a good education and work ethic on each of them. Ruby had an influential and lasting impact on everyone who knew her. Integrity, respect, hardworking, devoted, compassionate, loving, amazing, inspirational, understanding, pure hearted are only a few words that describe Ruby. As time goes by and you think of Ruby, please know that each and every person that interacted with Ruby left a trace of them on her heart. She never forgot anyone!
Ruby’s family would like to express sincere appreciation to the care staff at Sunrise Senior Living Facility in Westminster CO, especially Bree and Angelique, for providing a smooth transition at the start of her journey down Alzheimer’s road. Once the silent, progressive and turbulent Alzheimer’s invaded Ruby’s world, the care staff at Chelsea Place in Aurora CO assisted her through the survival of the loneliest time of her life (the COVID-19 pandemic) until her recent transition to more nursing care provided by Holly Heights Care Center in Denver CO. Special thanks to Jenni Dill, for taking the time to be compassionate, holding Ruby’s hand and providing comfort with daily activities to challenge Ruby’s motor skills and giving her a sense of inclusion; and to Ruby’s special friend, Vicky Boamah, whose presence brought a smile to Ruby’s lips and joyful laughter when no one else could. Vicky could walk into Ruby’s peripheral vision and Ruby’s face would just light up and a smile would form. Vicky’s jokes, antics, dances and loving care was admired by all who worked with her. They would often tell Vicky ‘your grandma needs/misses you’ and they wondered if Vicky and Ruby knew each other in another life. Their connection ran deep and straight from the soul. Ruby was loved and cared for by many devoted heroes that are not named here; nevertheless, Ruby’s family is eternally grateful.
Ruby’s life will be honored and celebrated with a ceremonial viewing on Saturday, April 24, 2021 between the hours of 3-5 pm at Olinger Hampden Mortuary, at 8600 E. Hampden, Denver, CO. This will be an informal affair so come as you are - your presence will mean more to Ruby than how you’re dressed. This will be a time to share with others the impact Ruby had on your life and to absorb the love for her that’s being shared in her honor.
Ruby will be laid to rest during a graveside service in McCoy Colorado on Saturday, July 10, 2021 in coordination with her brother Ed being laid to rest in Yampa, CO.
In lieu of flowers, donations may either be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation located at 13123 E. 16th Avenue, Box 045, Aurora, CO 80045, Tax I.D. #84-0813462; direct your contribution to be distributed evenly between the Oncology Hematology Clinic, Burn Services and the Neurology Department or North Metro Community Services located at 1001 W. 124th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80234, Tax I.D. #84-0534757 to be distributed for use by the Westminster Day Services Program.
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