WARDLOW, Ruby Mary

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Ruby Mary Wardlow, 82, passed away November 4, 2011 in Grand Junction, CO. She passed away in her home with her loved ones nearby. Ruby was born to Mary Ivy (Wilson) Ply and James Lemuel Ply in Shady Grove, Texas on April 29, 1929. She married Leonard Wardlow on February 23, 1947. They moved from Novice, Texas to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1957. Ruby attended Northern Arizona University to earn a BA in Education followed by a Master of Arts in Education. She taught at Thomas Elementary School for over twenty years. Ruby thoroughly enjoyed teaching and especially delighted in teaching beginning readers to love reading. She wrote many stories and poems for her students to enjoy. Because Ruby believed that a day was wasted unless something was accomplished, her hands were always busy doing something worthwhile. As she wrote poems, worked in her garden, quilted, and cooked, she let the work of her hands express the love in her heart for family and friends. Ruby felt that quilts were the epitome of comfort and caring. Her quilted lap robes brought warmth and comfort to veterans at the local VA Medical Center and the Intrepid Center in Texas. She also made baby quilts for the Christmas Angel Tree program and comfort mats for animals at Redstone Veterninary Hospital, Veterinary Emergency Center, and Roice-Hurst Humane Society. She never let a scrap of material go to waste by stitching the smallest of pieces into a patchwork quilt, a style of quilting she learned from her mother. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Vernon Ply; sister, Margaret Wardlow; and husband, Leonard, who was born July 24, 1924 in Post, Texas. After serving as a Marine during World War II, he taught elementary school in Flagstaff, Arizona. He passed away September 2, 2002. Ruby is survived by her siblings and their families: John (Barbara) Ply of Flagstaff, Arizona; Wilma Bearden of Combs, Texas; Leslie (Darlene) Ply of Dripping Springs, Texas; Cash Ply of Gordon, Texas; Milton (Tamara) Ply of Niceville, Florida; daughter, Cynthia (Dave)Whittier and granddaughter, Shauna Whittier of Grand Junction, Colorado. A family graveside service took place on November 15, 2011 at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetary. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palitive Care of Western Colorado 3090B North 12th Street, Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 or to the Veterans Cemetary Fund of the Veterans Memorial Cemetary of Western Colorado 2830 Riverside Parkway Grand Junction, Colorado 81501. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.