I had the privilege of knowing and loving Ruby for 40 years. I remember when Conal was born, and Ruby and Alasdair came by the Eloquia Spachschule with a bottle of Scotch. Ruby said, "Alasdair, don't be so Scottish; give them another drink!" Ruby and I were so close, our children grew up like brother and sister. I remember Ruby's handbag was always full of little cars for Conal. I remember many lunches, in particular at the Ratskeller, where the children could climb and play on the stairs to nowhere, and eating in the fresh air on Dreifaltigkeitsplatz, where the children could play nearby while we talked. I remember parties and meeting in groups in the Hackenstrasse and at the Chinese Tower and many other places. I also remember many events where Ruby either came very late or not at all after falling asleep in the bathtub! I remember ceilidhs, Burns' suppers and the like. I remember travelling up and down California with Ruby, Alasdai, Conal,and Alexa. I remember a holiday in Croatia with the children who both got sick but we still had fun. I remember Ruby trying to learn to ride a bicycle but giving it up after her calves became black and blue from the pedals hitting them. And so much more... Ruby was one of the smartest people I have known and always upbeat and funny. She couldn't finish her own jokes (or funny stories about Conal when he was little) without laughing contagiously. I remember the last time I saw her in 2019 (the Corona virus robbed us of a visit in 2020) at our favorite Greek restaurant. She had back pain and suffered from diabetes but was as ebullient as ever. My life was vastly enriched by knowing Ruby, and I cherish the memories.
I had the privilege of knowing and loving Ruby for 40 years. I remember when Conal was born, and Ruby and Alasdair came by the Eloquia Spachschule with a bottle of Scotch. Ruby said, "Alasdair, don't be so Scottish; give them another drink!" Ruby and I were so close, our children grew up like brother and sister. I remember Ruby's handbag was always full of little cars for Conal. I remember many lunches, in particular at the Ratskeller, where the children could climb and play on the stairs to nowhere, and eating in the fresh air on Dreifaltigkeitsplatz, where the children could play nearby while we talked. I remember parties and meeting in groups in the Hackenstrasse and at the Chinese Tower and many other places. I also remember many events where Ruby either came very late or not at all after falling asleep in the bathtub! I remember ceilidhs, Burns' suppers and the like. I remember travelling up and down California with Ruby, Alasdai, Conal,and Alexa. I remember a holiday in Croatia with the children who both got sick but we still had fun. I remember Ruby trying to learn to ride a bicycle but giving it up after her calves became black and blue from the pedals hitting them. And so much more... Ruby was one of the smartest people I have known and always upbeat and funny. She couldn't finish her own jokes (or funny stories about Conal when he was little) without laughing contagiously. I remember the last time I saw her in 2019 (the Corona virus robbed us of a visit in 2020) at our favorite Greek restaurant. She had back pain and suffered from diabetes but was as ebullient as ever. My life was vastly enriched by knowing Ruby, and I cherish the memories.
