Ruby was born to Donovan A. and Lucy E. (Hinshaw) Lee on June 21, 1939. She was born at her paternal grandparents’ farmhouse near Lee Point Road, which is named for her Lee ancestors. Ruby was named after Ruby Ellen Dobson, a beloved relative on her maternal grandmother’s side. Her forefathers on both sides of the family settled in Leelanau County during the 1800s, and most were lifelong residents. Ruby grew up in a home that first stood on the main street of Suttons Bay but was moved about 1919 to the site where the Suttons Bay village offices now stand. Ruby married George Brach on June 20, 1959, the day before her twentieth birthday. She and George had a terrific partnership, raising four children and operating Brach’s TV Sales and Service. Our dad, George, frequently said, “Not to worry,” while Mom Ruby worried enough for all of us. Ruby was the master of the todo list and helped keep George organized. They complemented each other well and enjoyed adventurous travels together, many along “the road less traveled by,” thanks to George.

Ruby was an intelligent and well-read woman. She loved Classical Interlochen Public Radio and CMU Public Television. Despite being pulled in many directions by her family, Ruby had voracious reading habits. She especially enjoyed reading biographies of important historical figures. Our home was filled with books, and they were often given as gifts. All of Ruby’s descendants are beneficiaries of her love of reading. She was a regular patron of the Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library and also enjoyed working there as a volunteer. In later life, Ruby became a more adventurous cook and a devotee of the Mediterranean diet, among other healthy eating strategies. We kids recently discussed family meals and found absolutely no overlap of our dinner preferences. Perhaps Ruby felt more free to experiment when she could please her own palate. She took reading nutritional labels to the next level but still loved Moomer’s ice cream and a slice of fruit pie.

Ruby’s diligence kept George physically active as long as possible after his Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. Posted near the to-do list in her kitchen was a newspaper clipping entitled, “Get in a Rut and Stay There,” an article stressing the importance of having a regular exercise routine.

While Ruby was sad to sell the home she and George built on the hilltop off Bahle Road outside Suttons Bay, she made the best of her move to an apartment at Evergreen Cottage. She enjoyed the summer concerts and exploring the parklike grounds. She made frequent use of the fitness center, sticking with her motto about regular exercise until her last months.

We are so grateful to the staff of Evergreen Cottage and of Bayside Wellness hospice for treating Ruby with dignity, care and compassion, helping ease her from this life. Ruby is survived by her children, Suzanne (Cole) Shoemaker, Lynne (Michael Jarvis) Brach, Paul Brach and George “Rusty” (Kevin Sharp) Brach; her brother Ronald Lee; her grandchildren, Eric (Shinee) Shoemaker, Gina Shoemaker, Alex Shoemaker, Forest (Nina Karla) Botial-Jarvis, Morgan Jarvis (Lee Palmer), and Erin Brach; and her great-grandchildren, Sophia and Elliott Shoemaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 56 years, George, an infant daughter, Mary Ann, and her sister Phyllis (Lee) Flees.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Ruby recorded this quotation on a scroll her granddaughter Morgan gifted her on Mother’s Day, 2002: “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, all the friends I want to see. The longer I live, the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and wonder of the world.” John Burroughs If you feel moved to make a memorial gift in Ruby’s name, please consider the following: Ruby Ellen Farm, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, Leelanau Christian Neighbors, or Interlochen Public Radio.

Please share condolences and memories with Ruby’s family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.