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Ruby Mae Hughes peacefully passed away at her home in Albuquerque early Tuesday morning, August 8, 2006. Her passing came after she suffered a massive heart attack and stroke simultaneously - which was just like Ruby to multi-task until the very end. After a brief stay at Lovelace hospital, Ruby's daughter, Diane Dimond of Rockland County, NY, her granddaughter, Jenna Lamond of Brooklyn, NY, and her loved and loyal niece, Sandy Hays of Albuquerque, took her home. There, along with her devoted dog, Chivas at her side, Ruby spent her final days precisely as she had wanted. Born in North Dakota on November 29, 1929, Ruby arrived just as the Great Depression took hold in America. Her father was a farmer and Ruby was the youngest of six children. Always with a joyous gleam of adventure in her eye, young Ruby attended church regularly, earned pocket money picking beets and potatoes, and, even though she was only five foot three inches tall, she was a dynamo on her school basketball team. She married Allen O. Hughes on December 23, 1947, and soon after they moved to California to seek their fortune. After stints working in the airline and defense industries, they decided to move to Albuquerque with their only child, Diane in 1959. They ultimately opened Hughes Meat Company which operated for 30 years. In business, she and her husband were known for their hard work, their integrity and their charity to those who could not afford their products. Ruby was known as the "Energizer Bunny" by those who knew her best. Her multitude of friends and family members will always remember her energy, her love of a good joke and her fun-loving, "get 'er done" spirit. Ruby and her husband Allen loved animals and enjoyed working in the yard of their home, especially in their breathtaking backyard rose garden. She played a mean game of pool, was highly competitive when it came to card games, and never met a party she didn't like. When no one else caught a fish on their numerous fishing trips - from Alaska to Mexico - Ruby did! As long-time members of the Fleet Reserve Club they actively participated in veteran celebrations and Thanksgiving and Christmas charity donation drives. She was a long-time contributor to New Mexico's Boys Town and Joy Junction. Ruby was most proud of her daughter Diane's successful career in journalism as well as her only granddaughter, Jenna, and her three beautiful great-grandchildren: Ruby Jr., 7, Luke, 5, and Owen, six months, who met his great-grandmother last week during her hospitalization. Ruby had a life-long love of watching sports. Thanks to her devoted and much loved niece, Terry Case of Dallas, TX, Ruby acquired real life bragging rights. Terry's son Bryan Clampitt is a back-up quarterback on UNM's Lobos football team and Ruby reveled in every game. She was also a dedicated Lady Lobos basketball fan due to her own illustrious high school prowess. Ruby Hughes was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Allen, her loving brother, Ralph, and her equally captivating sisters, Wilma and Isabel. She is survived by her dear sister, Roberta Stafford of Newark, DE, who recently came to Albuquerque for a "catch up" visit. She will be fondly remembered by nieces, Debbie Hays and Meredith Clampitt; nephew, Steve Hays; and numerous family members and friends. Ruby will always be fondly remembered as a vivacious and loving wife, mother, aunt, and friend. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of her life will be held at French Mortuary, Lomas Chapel on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Her adored dog, Chivas and stand-offish cat, Bubba would be pleased if any donations went to the Animal Humane Society, 615 Virginia SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
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