Ruby Driver

Ruby Driver, age 87, of Albuquerque, passed away peacefully with family members by her side on Wednesday, June 24, 2015. Ruby is survived by three daughters, Susan (Sue) Bowdoin (Paul), Ruby Henneborn (Harry), and Ellen Ann Dobson (Skip) all of Albuquerque; and two sons, Larry Driver (Sue) of Tuttle, Oklahoma and David Driver (Shirley) of Great Falls, Montana; and longtime family member, Bob Wasierski; grandchildren, JP Bowdoin (Susan), James Bowdoin (Brittnee), Leilani Perrault (Josh), Damon Wasierski, Juliet Wasierski, Cassandra Dobson, Kayla Dobson, Jackie Dobson, Lori Grimes, Brenda Lawless (Nathan), and Shirley Marie Agustin (Fredy); great grandchildren, Connor Bowdoin, Katie Bowdoin, Brynlee Bowdoin, Nathan Waits (Robyn), Dustin Waits, Stephanie Grimes, Heidi Ault (Erick), Cyndi Adams (Alex) and Jennifer Smither; one great-great grandson, Clyde Ault, with two more great-great-grandchildren arriving in the next few months. She is also survived by two siblings, Willie Gendron (Marlene) of Republic, Washington and Helen Marksbury of Spokane, Washington, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Ruby is preceded in death by Larry, her husband of 59 years; her parents, Fred and Alma Gendron; brothers, Lee and George; sisters, Teen and Betty; granddaughter, Susan Jackson and three infant boys. Ruby was born June 8, 1928 in Republic, Washington. She met a young Air Force Captain stationed at a local radar site in 1951. He transferred to Yakota Air Force Base in Japan. They were married by proxy on February 14, 1952 and then in a traditional ceremony at the Yakota Base Chapel in July 30, 1952. Melding their three children from previous marriages and later adding two girls, they were truly a “his” “hers” and “ours” family. For the next twenty-one years, she supported Larry’s Air Force career moving their family from Japan, living in five states and a Canadian province until they retired to Albuquerque, New Mexico. From 1973 to 2010 they enjoyed travel, visiting family and military friends and put many thousands of miles on no less than four RVs. Her greatest joy was her family. She had a great sense of fashion, and sewed most of the clothes for the family, continuing the tradition with beautiful Christmas dresses and pajamas for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was the biggest cheerleader for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, always there on the sidelines for soccer, basketball, band, school, scout and church events. Christmas was her favorite holiday as she loved making her family and friends feel special by giving them thoughtful gifts. Ruby was a loving mother who shouldered much of the responsibility of parenthood, as she was left for almost half of their military career as the primary parent with Larry away from home. She found time to enjoy bowling, sewing, needlework, creating beautiful crochet pieces, in addition to being an avid reader. She will be missed terribly, but her family is consoled by the fact that Larry and Ruby are together again. The family would like to thank Heritage Hospice and especially her nurse, Becky, and her home health aide, Jessica. They brought loving, kind, compassionate care to her in her final months. Services will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 11515 Lomas Blvd NE in Albuquerque with Visitation at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Flowers are welcome or donations can be made to the Messiah Lutheran Church.