Sunday, March 27, 2011

Ruby Ivy Louisa HOOKINS (Tree G)


I am so sad to have to report the death of the oldest living HOOKINS family member. Ruby Ivy Louisa HOOKINS passed away on Tuesday of this last week aged 101 years. A lovely lady who had a good sense of humour and whose hearing, sight, mind and memory enabled her to communicate in engaging conversation. The card below was given to her at her 100 birthday celebration and shows a picture of her parents as well as her own baby picture following her birth in July 1909 in Ealing. She married Charles Francis HOOKINS (photo below) in September 1931 at St Mary's Church Ealing and I understand that the honeymoon was spent in Bournemouth and Hastings. A year later they bought the house which was to be theirs throughout their married life. Charlie spent his war service in Bermuda whilst Ruby provided accommodation for relatives. Thereafter they lived happily in their home until Charlie died at the age of 93 in 1999. My first contact with Ruby was in 2000 when she responded to a letter I had sent but by that time she was housebound. I was pleased to be able to visit her the day

after her 100th birthday which she spent at St Vincent's Nursing Home which was so wonderful in caring for her. They gave her a party which included a number of visitors and her room was bedecked with flowers and cards and presents to celebrate this milestone. Thank you Ruby for what you meant to so many people who came into contact with you. I will miss our contact with you which has latterly been through Mary who is a relative of mine who lived in the area and spent time in visiting with Ruby on a regular basis and who I know will also greatly miss this lovely lady.

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