Our dear sister and auntie, Rubye Eileen Bennett, passed away into Glory June 1, 2017, in Centralia, Wash. She was born July 8, 1926, in Ryderwood, Wash., to Alvah and Maud Bennett.
She was born with a loving, independent spirit. She loved people especially children, spending time outdoors and she was an avid sports fan, loving the Mariners most. She learned to drive early in life, driving her father’s panel truck at the age of 13, picking up dry cleaning throughout Southwest Washington, no driver’s license required.
In 1943, the family moved to Centralia, Wash., to operate the Hub City Cleaners on Tower Ave. After graduating from Centralia High School, she worked in the family business, progressing to manage and work at other cleaners in Chehalis, Wash., and later, in Wenatchee, Wash. At this time, Rubye wanted to work with troubled children and began a career working for the State of Washington Social Services. There, she impacted the lives of countless youth for 28 years. First, at Martha Washington School in Seattle, 1959 to 1967, and then at Echo Glen School in Snoqualmie, 1967 to 1987.
Upon retirement, Rubye joined her sister and eldest niece, Darlene, on a trip of a lifetime to tour Europe and visit her nephew, Larry and wife, Kim, who were stationed in Germany. She traveled to Mozambique and the Dominican Republic on church mission trips. In retirement, she was not idle, she was active in her community and loved to hike in the mountains, go to the beach or just take walks. She was an avid crafter and many were blessed by this. Rubye remained in her home in Issaquah, Wash., until moving back to Centralia to be near her family in 2014. She loved the Lord and her family. “Well done good and faithful servant.”
She was preceded in death by her beloved older sister.
Rubye is survived by her faithful brother, Al Bennett and his wife, Ann Bennett; nieces, Darlene Wilgus (Eric), Sherrie Conrad and Karen Inglin (Tom); nephews, Larry Wood (Kim) and Darren Bennett (Wendy); great-nieces, Jennifer Byrer, Melissa Wood, Cassandra Conrad and Chelsea Wilgus; great-nephews, Bryan Inglin, Ryan Conrad, Garrett Wilgus and Joshua Wood. Rubye had countless additional nieces and nephews that she adopted and loved throughout her life. She also leaves behind many wonderful neighbors and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at the First Church of the Nazarene, Centralia, WA 98531.
