Ruby Belcher

We will be celebrating over 101 years of Ruby Belcher’s life. Ruby was born Sept. 11, 1913 in Portland Oregon to Leona Curtis Graydon and William Graydon, the 2nd of 10 children. Ruby was the last living in the family. Life was different in those days, living with no electricity, running water or toilet in the house and sleeping with three in a bed. Ruby was feisty back then riding horses bare-back and riding sleds in the snow. She was the one telling her siblings to pick up their clothes and make the bed. Ruby became a dance instructor in her grandfather’s dance studio. She loved going to the big dances on Saturday night. That’s where she met John Belcher and in a couple of months was married, December 26, 1941. They lived in Oakland; John worked in the Richmond shipyard. Sometime in 1942 they moved to Castro Valley and build a big house. Ruth was born October 23, 2942. Ruby doted over her only child while John worked as a carpenter. They moved to San Jose in 1954, John build another beautiful home and they lived happily there till the taxes got too high. Then they bought a nice home in Santa Clara and enjoyed their retirement years, going to Lake Pardee in the summer and going to the Santa Clara Senior Center to play bingo and visit with friends. John passed away August 30, 1990, just shy of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Ruby went on doing all the things her husband told her to do. She lived on her own till she had a mini stroke at the age of 95 Ruby moved in with her daughter Ruth and husband Chris and enjoyed visits with her grandson Dean Reno and his wife Sheila and granddaughter Michelle and Frank and 8 great-grandchildren; Jesse, Amanda, Jessica, Courtney, Sam, Joseph, Sophia, and Jasmine. Ruby liked to read and do puzzles and loved visiting with her best friend Michael Bisceglie. When her health declined she had hospice 3 times, graduating 2 times. She became attached to Saba her aid and Robin her volunteer and her caregiver Sandra. Michael has been an important helper and friend also. Ruby loved the men and had a close relationship with Michael, Frank and Ralph. Ruby was always known for making delicious roast beef and turkey dinners. She made all the pies for the holidays, apple was her specialty. Ruby had a good life. She will be greatly missed. Special thanks to Hospice of the Valley. Family and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday December 18th from 5-9pm. Celebration of life service will be held on Friday December 19th at 10:00am both at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary 466 North Winchester Blvd. Interment following at Mission City Memorial Park 420 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara. Reception to follow at the Reno Home 4567 Tomrick Ave, San Jose. Donations to your favorite charity.