Ruby Martha Rhea

My mother, Dottie Conner just passed away a few weeks ago, and in trying to reorganize her "Nightengals" scrap book was searching for any help when I ran into this article. Hi Lori !!! She made it to 98. We loved your mother Ann and still have a few pictures hanging in the hallway of the Quartet. Her service will be held in Carlsbad, St. Michael's Episcopal Church on Dec. 11th @ 11 am. If you can come, Lyn and I would love to hug you.

When I was a child, my mother, Ann Shanks, was the baritone in the Nightingales with Ruby. This lovely quartet would often practice at our home and Ruby´s beautiful tenor voice would ring through the house. I loved listening to them and watching them perform many times at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton way back in the day, especially when the Osmond Brothers headlined the night. Later in years I enjoyed visiting Ruby, as she would share her joy of arranging so many beautiful barbershop...

Still singing Ruby´s arrangements. Timeless. RIP dear one

Dearest Milt. I have only learned of Ruby's passing 2 days ago when I was trying to find you both. I am completely brokenhearted to learn about this and just want you to know that I am thinking about you. I'm so sorry we had lost contact after I moved and I just pray that you are doing ok. Ruby is so very missed by so many. She has definitely left a footprint on this earth, and one that is filled with joy, music, vitality, and love. She is rejoicing with God and your beloved son. Milt, I...

Dear Ruby, I never got to know you but my chorus sings your beautiful arrangements of Night and Day and Besame Mucho. I loved your style, rich chords and a beautiful sense of flow and shape, great songs honoured by your skill and artistry as an arranger. Even to those of us who didn't know you, you have left something beautiful.
David Sangster, Director, Forth Valley Chorus, Edinburgh, Scotland

Dear Ruby:

You and Milt are certainly missed in this community you called home. I'm certain that you have found a place for your great talents and warm smile. Heaven is a better place because you are there.

Dear Milt (aka "Uncle Miltie"),
So many beautiful words in this guest book. Obviously everyone recognized and thrived in Ruby's special light. My times with both of you will always be locked in my heart. Know that she is watching over you at all times. I didn't know about the memorial service in time to get there, but know I will see the one and only "Ruubeeeee" (her spelling) before long.
I love you.
Bev Lombardo

Milt, my very dear friend,
Myrna and I were shocked to learn of Ruby's cancer and death. All the months of this year until we left the desert, moving to Oregon, not a word of her illness, or your worry... Maybe you did not know?

How can there be a Milt without Ruby? How could here be a Ruby without Milt?

O my friend, we are with you.
We are with you...

God be with you, and all of us!

Dear Ruby,

Your beautiful emails and wonderful hugs will stay in my memory for life. Your love for music, singers and arranging was so evident in everything you did. Your emails always left me smiling, filled with big words expressing your big emotions - always overflowing with affection.

I'll miss you my friend - I never got to take you up on visiting you down south and seeing your lovely home, but I can imagine how beautiful it was.

Rest in peace, my friend...