Ruby Rosaline Ritchie

Ruby was born on July 6, 1929, in Traver, California, to Alice and Joseph Ferreira. She grew up in the Goshen area on a small dairy with her younger brother, Leonard. She graduated from Visalia Union High School in 1948 and married Clarence Ritchie a year later. Together, they built a life and raised their two sons, Jeff and Larry.

Ruby stayed busy and involved throughout her life. She was active in the California Cotton Wives Association and PTA and spent many years volunteering at Kaweah Delta Hospital as one of its familiar “Pink Ladies.”

If Ruby wasn’t busy with something in the community, there was a good chance you could find her working in her garden. She loved her garden, and it was truly her happy place.

But nothing mattered more to Ruby than her family. She was fiercely loyal to those she loved. And those who knew her were very well aware of that.

She doted on Jeff and Larry when they were growing up, and when grandchildren came along, she happily took on a whole new role. Eventually, she became “Nana Boobie” to four grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 12.

Her grandkids have plenty of memories of cruising around town with her in her notorious blue Buick, complete with a license plate that read “MISS RUBY.” Those rides often ended with a trip to Wendy’s, where Ruby introduced them to the novelty of a square hamburger patty — and, naturally, a Wendy’s Frosty.

Food was another way Ruby loved on her family. She made the best ham at Thanksgiving, could whip up a killer ambrosia salad and was especially famous for her one-of-a-kind onion dip, which she ALWAYS brought to family gatherings. The secret, she said, was letting it chill overnight.

Ruby also had a way of remembering the little things. If she found out your favorite candy- you’d better believe you would get it every time you saw her. She never missed a birthday, never showed up empty handed and never missed an opportunity to brag about her family.

And then there was red.

Red was Ruby’s color. Her signature red lipstick could usually be found blotted on the soft pink tissues she carried in her purse — tissues that were always there in case somebody needed to wipe a nose. She loved a fancy red sweater or sweatsuit, and somehow, it just fit her. Bright, bold and impossible to overlook.

Red also perfectly mirrored the feisty Portuguese personality Ruby was known for. She was no wallflower. She had opinions, poise and plenty of spunk. And she held onto all of those attributes right up until the very end.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Joseph Ferreira; her brother, Leonard; and her grandson, Kristofer Ritchie.

She is survived by her sons, Jeff Ritchie and his wife, Kristi, and Larry Ritchie and his wife, Mary; her grandchildren, Casey, Katrina and Ashley; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

For those who loved her, Ruby will be remembered in so many little things — a garden in bloom, a tube of red lipstick, onion dip at a family gathering, a favorite candy handed over just because, or the memory of cruising around town in a blue Buick with “MISS RUBY” at the wheel.