Visitation
Celebration of Life
Obituary of Ruby D. Gray
The family of Ruby D. (Hall) Gray of Fredericton, NB, formerly of Sussex, NB, is saddened to advise that she passed away on January 11, 2019 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton at the age of 97. Being the strong, determined person whom we all knew and loved, Ruby fought until the end. She passed on peacefully, without pain, with her family by her side.
Ruby was born in London, England on October 5, 1921, to Ruby (Prior) and William Samuel Hall. She was the eldest of their four daughters. She trained and served as a nurse during WWII. In 1945 She married Canadian soldier Albert E. Gray of Sussex, NB before travelling to Canada via Pier 21. Ruby spent the next 69 years of her life in Sussex before moving into care in 2016.
She leaves behind her son Robert E. Gray (Linda) of Combermere, ON; daughters: Sally I. Richards (Tom) of Nackawic, NB, Margaret A. Gray (Shelagh) of Stratford, PE; her grandson Dr. Crispen Gray Richards (Sandra) of Hamilton, ON; her great grandsons: Luca Gabriel Richards and Gabriel Varani Richards; her sisters: Sonia Worster of Riverview, NB, Joyce Alexander of Guildford, Surrey, England, and Joan Berfield of Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire, England and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Ruby was predeceased by her beloved husband, Albert (1972), his parents, Eleanor and John Gray, sister-in-law Elizabeth (Gray) Fraser, brothers-in-law Ernest Worster and John Fraser and nephew Mark Worster.
As a very active member of the community, Ruby became an entrepreneur, business owner and a public figure in her beloved Sussex. Her businesses, The Hobby Horse and The Queen Bee, operated for 15 years. She did not however, retire from them, she just moved on. She faithfully sang in St. Paul's United Church choir for over 60 years, taught Sunday School and belonged to the UCW. She served as Deputy Mayor and was a long-time town councillor. She founded and ran the Little Jackie Fund which helped many children with major dental problems. Ruby was one of the first women to join the Kiwanis Club of Sussex where she played an active role for many years. She was a committee member President and tireless worker with Country Living Days for its duration, and later for the annual Balloon Fiesta, often crewing for several balloon captains. Ruby was active in Brownies and Girl Guides, the Library Board, Meals on Wheels, IODE, The Legion Auxiliary, the Preservation Review Board, and worked to organize the Run for the Cure, completing many a lap herself for the cause. She physically helped to build the Jubilee Hall where she was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.
Ruby was a fierce lobbyist and promoter for the development of the Sussex Wellness Centre, helping to make it become a reality. She was a member of the local and provincial War Brides Associations and participated in many of its functions, including the War Brides train trip to Halifax and subsequent Pier 21 dedication. She was on board the QEII for the commemorative voyage from Southampton, England to Halifax, NS.
Ruby spent her life giving and caring. Her causes were always children of all ages, the less fortunate, the marginalized and of course, animals. She truly loved children and animals, as evidenced by her standing in the pouring rain holding an umbrella over a pony in her back field. She had unfailing strength and determination, never thought of herself first and always found a way to help someone in need, supposing she went without herself. Her love of gardening led her to create the daffodil project which left Sussex all abloom in yellow each spring.
Ruby spent many happy hours in her home cooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, singing, playing piano, entertaining and teaching her children the values of life. People were always welcome at her table and in the Gray home. Her stamina and sense of conviction were to be applauded. But, her truly greatest joy of all was spending time with her great grandsons Luca and Gabriel. Whatever Ruby did, she did with her whole heart! She was determined to wear out, not rust out. She loved Sussex and its people and was proud to call it her hometown.
The family wishes to thank and acknowledge the kindness and professional care afforded Ruby by the staff of Frederick Hall, Shannex, Fredericton and of 4NW at the Dr Everett Chalmers Hospital, Fredericton.
By Ruby's request, her remains will be transferred to Dalhousie University's School of Medicine. Her final arrangements are entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176), from where visitation will be held on Friday, January 18 from 5 to 8 PM. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's United Church on Saturday, January 19 at 1PM. The family suggests that donations be made to
