Shirley Jean Ruston

BOCA RATON, Fla. < Shirley Jean Ruston passed away Oct. 9, 2008 after fighting a courageous and brave battle against a brain tumor. She will be greatly missed by her beloved husband and family. She was born Shirley Jean Ross Oct. 6, 1932 in Auburn. She was the daughter of the late Glenn and Marion Ross. She is also predeceased by one nephew. She is survived by her husband, Richard Douglas Ruston Jr. and her five children: her son, Richard Ruston III, of Auburn, Sharon and Howard Taufaasau, of Hawaii, Judy and Michael Honey, of Oregon, Sally and Kendall Osborne, of California, Rosemary and William Cosselmon, of Virginia; 10 grandchildren; and her brother, Robert Ross, of Niles; along with several nieces and nephews. She worked for many years with her husband owning and running Webster#"s Family Restaurant of Auburn. Shirley graduated from East High School and Auburn Community College where she received her Associates of Applied Science Nursing degree May 25, 1980. She worked for many years as an RN at Auburn Memorial Hospital, Auburn Nursing Home, and in private duty. She loved the medical field and will always be remembered as a nurse whose compassion was as great as her devotion to each patient whom she was dedicated to serving. Some of her hobbies included bird watching, decorating, painting, tending flowers, traveling, and listening to music. She loved the season of winter. The celebration of Christmas was very important to her marking the birth of Jesus Christ. She will be remembered as a loving devoted wife and a mother who taught her children how to have compassion and immense courage in the face of adversity. Her legacy will live on through all who knew her. A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at The Point at Sandbeach Chapel, 2924 Sandbeach Road, and a Celebration of Life reception at 3:30 p.m., 5151 Westlake Road residence. All friends and family who know the Ruston family are welcomed and encouraged to come celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Shirley Ruston Memorial, c/o National Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown St., Suite 3-H, Watertown, MA 02472. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Benjamin Purow, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neuro-Oncology Division Neurology Department, University of Virginia. Your utmost care and attention of Shirley Ruston will forever be remembered and appreciated by our entire family. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.