Ruby Gladys Taziri

Ruby was born July 18, 1924, in Greeley, to parents Fred and Tora Hisamoto, who both were originally from Hiroshima, Japan. After graduating from Greeley High School, Ruby refused to follow the then-societal norm of acceding to an arranged marriage, instead deciding to attend business school. She found her own love with Noble Taziri and the two married on September 15, 1946, in a “love match” at what was considered an “old” age of 22. Ruby and Noble raised three children—Richard, Marilyn and Wayne—in Evans and Greeley.

Ruby worked as a Business Administration assistant for 20 years at the University of Northern Colorado, and Aims Community College for many years before that. The students loved Ruby and would often ask her to join them for happy-hour margaritas where she learned to perfect the art of taking a tequila shot.

Upon retirement, Ruby volunteered well into her 80s at various organizations, including at the Boy Scouts of America, 4-H, Purple Heart, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, where she received a 15-year award for her service and commitment. On Sept. 12, 2004, Ruby was honored to be featured in the Greeley Tribune as volunteer of the month.

Beyond volunteering, Ruby had many hobbies to keep her busy. Alongside husband, Noble, they played in competitive bowling leagues for many years until his passing in 1994. An avid sports fan, Ruby rarely—if ever!— missed a Broncos or Rockies game, and could often be heard yelling at the “turkeys” on the field. One year Ruby attended spring training and met Dante Bichette, a moment that was forever immortalized through a framed picture on her wall.

Ever the gambler, Ruby would always clean up at family poker night, would never turn down the opportunity to hit the slots in Blackhawk and loved a good bingo night. She often recounted detailed tales of the nights she won big but was uncharacteristically quiet on the nights she did not.

Ruby loved to craft, especially knit. When she wasn’t knitting baby blankets for the new family additions, Ruby was knitting beanies for the local NICU or prayer shawls for someone at the First United Methodist Church Greeley, where she was a loyal member the majority of her life. Ruby proudly taught her grandkids to roll a mean sushi roll and could be counted on to make tempura and her famous banana bread for the holidays.

Ruby was a firm believer that physical movement kept you young. She was an active participant in various types of fitness, including water aerobics and Zumba. Ruby was able to live independently until she was 96, which she largely credited to the fact that she still tried to walk up to a mile a day.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Ruby said she wanted to be remembered as a rebel and not as your typical little Japanese lady. Those who were blessed to know and love her will always remember that strong-willed personality, never taking no for an answer but always a willingness to try new things accompanied by that infectious cackle of a laugh.

Ruby was preceded in death by husband, Noble Taziri; parents Fred and Tora Hisamoto; siblings George Hisamoto, Mary Nakai, June Todoroki and Sho Hisamoto; children Richard Taziri and Marilyn Duerst; and son-in-law Jonathan Duerst.

Ruby is survived by her son, Wayne (Terrie); grandchildren Khristy, Jeffrey (Silvia), Theresa, Leilani (Christopher), Heather (Joshua) and Ben (Atalie); great grandchildren Brittany, Nathan, Brooke, Allen, Astrid, Kahlan, Grayson, Holden, Rogue, Quinntin and Evelyn; and great-great grandchildren Elijah, Issac and Ava.

In celebration of Ruby’s life, please consider making a donation to Disabled Veterans, an organization she donated to regularly: dav.org.

Ruby will be laid to rest with her husband at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO. Details for a Celebration of Life are not finalized at this time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the TAZIRI family.