Paula Withstandley Ruby

RUBY Paula Withstandley Ruby, age 54, of Trumbull, passed away on Friday, June 3, 2005, with her family by her side after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born in Newark, N.J. on February 25, 1951, to Rene K. Withstandley of South Yarmouth, Mass., and the late Paul B. Withstandley. They resided in Hampton, N.J., throughout her childhood. Paula met her husband, Rich at Roanoke College. They were married in the summer of 1972. She finished her BA in psychology at Southern Connecticut State University in 1978 and continued her education with a nursing degree from the University of Bridgeport in 1983, a masters degree in Family Therapy from SCSU in 1989 and an APRN credential in 1996. Paula spent the past 15 years working as a psychiatric nurse at Greater Bridgeport Mental Health Center and running her own private practice as a marriage and family therapist. She has been a member of the Nichols United Methodist Church since 1982 and has been an active participant in the church's youth fellowship. Over the years she has formed a plethora of great friendships and will be missed by many. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard Ruby of Trumbull; her daughters and their partners, Alyson Ruby and Stephen Grzyb of Sunderland, Vt., and Megan and Matthew Griggs, of Kensington, Md.; her brothers, Bart Withstandley and his wife, Harriet, of Narberth, Pa., Jeff Withstandley of Dennis, Mass., and Chris Withstandley and his wife, Becky of Fort Pierce, Fla. In addition, Paula is survived by an uncle and many aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and grand-nephews. A Memorial Gathering celebrating her life will take place on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 10 a.m. in Nichols United Methodist Church, Trumbull. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may call on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Paula's name to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P. O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309 or to the Nichols United Methodist Church, Senior Youth Fellowship, 35 Shelton Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611. To light a virtual candle, visit us at www.abriola.com.