RUBY M. BARTON

Our precious mother, Ruby Barton, passed away at age 101, in Fresno, CA, on Sunday, January 1, 2017, after a short illness. Ruby was born October 18, 1915, on the family farm near Sanger, CA, to John and Marina (Buyuklian) Garabedian. Her father passed away when she was very young leaving her mother with three young children and a farm to care for. Times were tough but as the oldest child, she was quick to take responsibility to learn to cook, care for her siblings and help her mother with whatever needed to be done. Later her mother remarried to Simon Nalbandian and three more siblings were born. The family moved to various farms and even lived in a barn near Parlier, CA, for several years. The children attended schools in Lone Star, Parlier, and Selma, CA, where Ruby played the violin in the school orchestra and participated in various sports. She graduated from Selma High School. In 1935, she married Alfred Barton who lived on a neighboring farm. They moved away from the farm to Fresno, where their first daughter Alfreda was born. A few years later during the war, the family moved to San Diego, CA, where their son Erwin was born. It was a gratifying time for the young mother as the family grew, but Ruby missed the extended family in Fresno, especially her mother. The war ended and the family moved back to Fresno where another daughter Carolyn was born. Ruby especially treasured the closeness with her mother for the ensuing 20 years. Ruby was very devoted to family and friends. She loved hosting dinner parties. For many years she hosted Thursday night family dinners, holiday dinners and birthday dinners. She was a gourmet cook specializing in Armenian cuisine. Her hobbies included music (violin), sewing, gardening, knitting and crocheting, and watching professional baseball and football. Outside of the home she was a seasonal fresh fruit packer for Peters and Garabedian, and a food service worker for the Fresno Unified School District. Wherever she worked, she forged lasting relationships with her employers and her coworkers that remain strong to this day. Ruby touched lives and lives mattered to Ruby. Ruby was first and foremost a matriarch. She rose on every occasion to nourish us, care for us and lead us by example. Suffering the loss of her father at a very young age, she accepted a mature role in life that she maintained throughout. She chose to take charge of her life and she chose to be a strength to those around her. Five days before her death, she vigorously participated in physical therapy. She wouldn't say no to any challenge. Yet she would always recognize when you needed a little something that she could provide. She chose to be a positive influence in the lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marina Garabedian; her step-father, Simon Nalbandian; her husband, Alfred Barton; her brothers, Haig Garabedian, Ralph Nalbandian, and Kenneth Nalbandian; and her sister, Armen Barbeau. She is survived by her son, Erwin Barton; her daughters, Alfreda Barton, and Carolyn Barton Stark and her husband Rod; six grandchildren, Marla Ens and husband Lyle, Janice Morrow and husband Kevin, Michelle Trevino, Kathy Brooksher, Christopher Barton, and Matthew Barton; three great-grandchildren, Breanna Trevino, Tiffany Ens, and Fabian Trevino; two great-great grandchildren, Micah Trevino and Damian Alvarron; and her sister, Ann Shamshoian. She also leaves countless nieces, nephews and wonderful friends to also celebrate her extraordinary life. Thank you to the devoted and compassionate staff at the California Armenian Home who enhanced the final three years of Ruby's life. Visitation will be held at Yost & Webb Funeral Home, on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. There will be a Home Service at Yost & Webb Funeral Chapel at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Gregory Armenian Church, 3rd and Fresno Streets in Fowler, CA, on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Ararat Armenian Cemetery, 1925 W. Belmont Ave., Fresno, CA 93728. Remembrances may be made to the California Armenian Home, 6720 E. Kings Canyon Rd., Fresno, CA 93727; St. Gregory Armenian Church, P.O. Box 246, Fowler, CA 93625; or St. Paul Armenian Church, 3767 N. First St., Fresno, CA 93726.