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 songs. Ruby was definitely a memorable person in my life and I wonder if they are all up there singing their hearts out now....right along with Janette, my Mom, Ann, and Ruby. I have been looking for Dotty Conner, not sure if she has joined them. Does anyone know? Anyway, God bless you Ruby Rhea and thank you for the sweet memories.

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 will never forget that many memories of my mom in the Nightengals with Ruby, Dottie, and Janette. From visits to your home as a child, to visits but a few years ago just before you moved, I'm flooded with so many memories. I will try to find you, Milt.

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...

Milt. We all loved Ruby. Her talent !!! Her beauty !!! And most of all her friendship and kindness to others. God Bless You Both. Love you buddy, Ron

Dear Friend Milt, Bill Rosica told me about Ruby's passing this morning. It saddened Karen's and my heart, but the memories of her, her arrangements and coaching for the Thermal-Aires, your wonderful hospitality, her radient smile and that unmeasurable joy that always came from her overshadows any sadness. God's gentle and comforting blessing be upon you and your family during this time of loss. We love you.

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Ruby. Please know you are in our prayers, Milt. May God rest her soul. Caroline and Bill Redmon

I was sad to be notified by phone of Ruby's passing. My thoughts go out to Milt who I sang with and also connected with Ruby so often. She was a great lady.

I am saddened by Ruby's passing. I was always greeted with her brilliant smile and interest in what was going on in our lives. She will be missed.

Our Ruby was truly a gem. She was our arranger, our coach, our den mother and our confidant. We will all miss her terribly, but know that we will be with her once again when it's our time.
In the meantime, we'll keep singing her songs and attempt to make her proud!

Fred (a Hummmbug)and Bobbie Anderson

Ruby and Milt, barbershop world movers and shakers . . . We are sorry to lose our lovely Ruby of the sparkling smile and twinkling eyes, the arranger and coach for hundreds of the world's best harmonizers, a dear lady who could transform strangers into life-long friends in only moments. I look forward to seeing you in the afterlife, Ruby -- perhaps I can join your mixed quartet of angels some day! Thank you for your gifts to music, and to me, and to the Sandblaster Chorus.

Dear Ruby: It is with great sadness that because we are still up in Oregon, Helen and I are unable to attend your service. You enriched so many lives and had so many dear friends. All of us will miss you. Rest in Peace.

Ruby was such a dear, sweet, BEAUTIFUL, wonderful friend and I will miss her more than words can express. She & Sally Briner were like big sisters to me - and always took good care of me, especially at Internationals. I guess it was Jan Wyckoff or Gerry P. who introduced her to me - so many years ago - and I will always be grateful that Ruby was part of my life...

My deepest sympathies. Ruby was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.

Love and Hugs,
Jim

Milt...Our love and prayers are with you at this time. A wonderful, lovely, talented and beautiful lady...the world is lessened with her passing.

Milt. We know Ruby is in a better place arranging music for all the barbershoppers there. You know all of us are there for support. I'm in Seattle till the 12th so I will miss the service but I will be there in my thoughts. Take. Care and keep singing for you and Ruby. Mike your fellow bass

Dear Milt. Even though we are newer friends,I felt that I knew Ruby.As time goes by the memories will only get richer.Words cant describe my heartfelt condolences.

Dear Milt. Even though we are newer friends,I felt that I knew Ruby.As time goes by the memories will only get richer.Words cant describe my heartfelt condolences.

We will miss your bright smile, your continual encouragement, your contributions of fabulous arrangements, your knowledge and most of all your friendship. Go in peace Ruby, It Is Well With Your Soul.

We owe you so much, Ruby
You are in my heart Milt

every wonderful adjective there is describes Ruby ... A Legend!! Milt, Prayeres for your family ... we will all miss her beautiful ways!!

Hi Milt, I am so sorry to hear about Ruby. I didn't know her very long but she sure made a positive impression on me. Barbershop Harmony will never be the same. Bles-Sings, Larry Leek

Ruby was a very special Lady. She was kind and helpful when I called to get one of her arrangements. Rest in Peace Ruby.

Aunt Ruby...What a wonderful gal! All my memories of her are treasured ones. She taught me to love music and singing. I am so proud of her accomplishments in the world of barbershop quartets and arranging. Always kind and generous in her hospitality to our family.

Ruby, I find it difficult to find words that truly describe your beauty - not only as we saw you, but as we knew you. You were one of the most giving persons I have ever known. Your talents were willingly shared - and, oh, what expertise you possessed. Your arrangements ring. Your smile brightened all who had the fortune to meet you. God bless you and your family, forever.

I only interacted with her through e-mail, in our efforts to legalize various pieces of music. But her lovely personality shone through even in that cold medium. Her full life of service to others is no surprise to me!

Rest in Peace sweet lady. The world is a better place because you were in it!

The wonderful harmonies that Ruby arranged will continue to ring for many years to come. The heavenly choir got an awesome arranger- RIP Ruby Rhea- love and harmony-

Hi Milt
Fullerton to the desert...I will always remember the two of you. So sorry to hear about Ruby.

dear Milt
I have been thinking about you and Ruby lately and so sorry to pick up the newspaper while here in the desert today and read about her passing.

Ruby - I clearly remember, years ago -I believe it was immediately after you were crowned Queens, with the Shalimars Quartet, and we invited you to appear on our Kalamazoo Sweet Adelines Show. I so remember that time and you, being the dear person you are, giving us so many compliments. Our Heavenly Chorus is welcoming you with open arms...you are probably arranging a song, for them as I type this to you! See you one day Ruby!

Dear Milt-I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear Ruby. What a shock to all of us in the Barbershop world. Not only was she one of the most beautiful women we've ever known, but her character, personality, friendliness and kindness matched that beauty. My wife, daughter and I only saw Ruby occasionally, but she always greeted us as if we were close friends. I particularly recall many years ago, perhaps in the middle or late 1960's when I tagged along with the "Sidewinders" and after some program we went to your home. It seemed like it was somewhere in Orange County. Although I had never met Ruby before, she was very gracious and kind to me. What a jewel of a person. God bless her soul, and may all the prayers being said for you Milt, help to comfort you at this great loss. Richard Valencia - Riverside "Citrus Belters" Chapter.

Such an inspiring life! And she correctly gave the praise to the Creator of this wonderful gift of music. God is Good! Besides, she is gorgeous!

Ruby, you will be dearly, dearly missed. I am so thankful that our paths crossed and I got to know you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Ruby, you redefined the term "mother-in-law" with your constant patience and kindness. Thank you for the many years of sharing and caring with me. You inspired me to be a better person in this world. Much love, always, Nancy

She will always be remembered for the good times as far back as Jr. High. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

We will miss our coach and your memory will be with us always.......
"The Hummmbugs"

Were going to miss you. Love Rick Anna,Patrick,Andreas & Wyatt