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Ruby Greaves
In Memory of
Ruby Alma
Greaves (Keay)
1921 - 2017
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Memories Chapel
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Obituary for Ruby Alma Greaves (Keay)

Ruby Alma  Greaves (Keay)
Surrounded by family, in her 96th year, Ruby Alma Greaves (nee Keay) passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Valleyview Care Centre. Ruby was born in Alberta and moved from Calgary to Brandon when she was 16 with her parents and younger sister Bernice. It was in Brandon where she met Jim, raised her three children and lived her life out as a wonderful mother and valuable and special person to the community and to many in her wide circle of friends. Ruby married Jim after the war and they shared 62 years together. She worked in various retail positions throughout her life and with Stats Canada for a number of years. But she was always a mom first and so seemed to be at home when it was important to be so for her children. She and Jim built a home together where many happy family memories occurred. She was a member of First Baptist Brandon, serving on numerous boards and committees including the Baptist Women where she was a life member and served on a number of Executive positions there. Many dear friendships were made at the church, which were important to her throughout her life. She enjoyed working as a volunteer at the Commonwealth Air Training Museum, on the Board of Hobbs Manor and working with children through the Child and Family Services in the Mother and Child Program. Ruby and Jim loved to travel – sometimes alone but mostly with friends. This included everything from camping trips across Canada and parts of the US to European vacations. Her special and favourite times were when she could join all her family at Neil’s cottage at Caliper Lake. She taught the family about true hospitality as there was always someone staying in our home; from perhaps a foster child from the Children’s Aid, or a hungry person that might come to our door, to a visiting Baptist executive from across the country, to all the friends and family who enjoyed a peanut butter sandwich after school, a back-yard barbecue for friends, or a lovely meal around the dining room table. She always seemed to be capable of so much – sewing for the children and grandchildren, knitting and crochet, knowing just the right things to have in her garden. In retirement, Ruby learned how to golf and continued on with bowling in a league that went for many years. Ruby is survived by her three children, Janice (Michael) Skafel, Neil (Judy) Greaves, Ian (Shelley) Greaves and her much adored grandchildren, Matthew (Andrea), Erika, Andrew (Lisa), Kaitlyn (Bryan), Evan, Moira and Owen, whom she loved deeply and of whom she was very proud. She also leaves nieces, nephews and cousins who were all important in her life. She was predeceased by her husband Jim Greaves (2007); parents Peter and Esther Keay and her younger sister, Bernice Palmer. Ruby was laid to rest beside her husband in a private ceremony at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. The Ceremony to Celebrate Ruby's Life will take place at First Baptist Church, 3881 Park Avenue, Brandon, MB on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Orton Anderson and Rev. Harold Nightingale officiating. Donations in memory of Ruby may be made to the First Baptist Church, 3881 Park Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7B 3Y6.