Ruby Ann Fitch

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A devoted wife and mother, Ruby Ann Fitch, seventy-nine of Smyrna, Delaware passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 29, 2025.
Ruby was born December 6, 1946, in Jetersville, Virginia to Marshall J. Gary and Mamie F. Baptist (Gary). She attended Saint James, a one room schoolhouse, and Russel Grove elementary schools in Amelia, Va.
The family moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey when she was in the fifth grade where she attended Coles Elementary School, and Woodcrest Middle School. Ruby attended the Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Haddonfield, New Jersey, where she enjoyed singing in the youth choir. She graduated from Delaware Township, (later renamed Cherry Hill High School West), where she played softball and the clarinet. Her musical talent was recognized such that she was selected to march in the Macy's Day Parade. In addition to her musical and athletic talents, Ruby focused on her academic strengths and pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. While in high school she volunteered as a candy striper at West Jersey Hospital in Camden. Following her high school graduation, she worked for Bell Telephone Company as an operator to save money for nursing school. She attended the City University of New York-Hunter College-Bellevue Hospital Practical Nurse Program, in Manhattan, and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1968. She married Roy J. Fitch on January 17, 1968, in The Bronx, NY. From this union, three daughters were born. For several years, the family resided in Mount Vernon before moving to Willingboro, New Jersey.
Ruby dedicated her life to advocating and caring for patients, while consistently holding true to her goals. She was determined to advance her career in nursing. In 1984, she earned an associate's degree in nursing (Registered Nurse) at Burlington Community College, in Burlington, NJ. Her career spanned over four decades, during the earlier years she worked in hospitals in in New York and New Jersey (including Ancora Hospital of Hammonton, NJ) and later in Pennsylvania (The Veteran's Administration Hospital) and Georgia (Georgia Department of Health, in Kennesaw). Some of her patients included high profile individuals in the entertainment and sport industries.
Ruby cherished gardening, cooking, playing Scrabble, crossword puzzles, and sewing in her spare time. She also enjoyed spending time with her family. Ruby's demeanor was always one of a kind, gentle, caring spirit, which left an impression on all who knew her. She was loved by many and was referred to as a sweet woman, with a kind sense of humor. She was baptized as a Jehovah Witness on May 5, 1975, and remained a devoted Jehovah's Witness. She was a member of the Smyrna Delaware Congregation of Jehovah Witnesses at the time of her death.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Roy J. Fitch, daughters Tresa Fitch Drakeford (John), Angela Fitch, Elizabeth Fitch; grandchildren, Sydney, Julian, Angelo, Ashley and Alyssa; great-grandchildren, Olyvia, Marcus and Diana; siblings, brother John Gary, sisters Bessie Pinckney (Melvin), and Juanita Aycox, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, family members and close friends.
She was predeceased by her parents and brother-in-law, Ronald Aycox.
A service celebrating her life will be held on January 16, 2026, at 11am at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home in Middletown, Delaware. Her final resting place will be Rosehill Cemetery, in Linden, New Jersey.