Ruth Alberta Kirkby

Ruth Alberta Kirkby, Age 92, a 12 year resident of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away at the Avalon Care Center in Scottsdale on January 25, 2007. Ruth was born in Lima, Ohio on January 27, 1914. She was the oldest of five children born to Maude and Fred Lybarger. The Lybarger family moved to Detroit, Michigan in the mid 1920's where Ruth lived with her family until she married her husband, Samuel E. Kirkby on July 11, 1936. Ruth and Sam relocated to Riverside, California in the late 1930's. They started Kirkby Trailer Company and raised their two sons and two daughters. Ruth and her husband sold the Kirkby Trailer Company in the 1950's and founded the Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center. For many years Ruth and Sam were instrumental in the centers museum and educational programs for the study of rocks, gems, minerals, fossils and nature. They held many classes over the years such as gold panning, hiking, survival, childrens gardening, mineral and fossil hunting, etc. until they retired and relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona. Ruth also enjoyed writing and editing articles for Rocks & Gems magazine. Sam Kirkby preceded her in death in 2002. Ruth loved to visit with friends and tell stories of all the places she and her family had traveled to, and all the wonderful things she and her husband had accomplished together. They were both true rockhounds. Ruth's brother, Robert Lybarger of Plymouth, Michigan, and sister, Mary Tagg of Norwalk, California also preceded her in death. Ruth is survived by her son, Noel Kirkby of Scottsdale, AZ, daughter Martha Leibert of Arizona, brother, John Lybarger of Riverside, CA, brother, Rick Lybarger of Riverside, CA, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends. She will be missed.