April 11, 2013
Ruby M. Roberts

Ruby M. Roberts, 93, beloved mother, grandmother, friend and civic leader, passed away April 9 at her Tooele home. Ruby Agnes McCarthy was born on the Fourth of July in 1919 in Fruita, Colo., the youngest of seven children of John Thomas and Agnes Hancock McCarthy. The family later moved to Midway before settling in Orem. Ruby graduated from Lincoln (now Orem) High School. During her high school years she directed a project compiling the first Orem City directory and was also honored as her LDS Stake’s Gold and Green Ball Queen. She married Andrew T. Roberts on May 2, 1942 in Provo. Following Andy’s military service and a few moves in California and Salt Lake, the couple made their home in Tooele where Ruby became involved in numerous community service groups. She was a stalwart member and leader of the Tooele Civic League, American Legion Auxiliary, General Federation of Women’s Clubs and Central School PTA. She led many community projects and charity drives and was honored by the Salt Lake Tribune and the Utah State Federation of Women’s Clubs as “Club Woman of the Year.” She also served several years on the Tooele City Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition to these, “Irish” held many other positions of responsibility and trust in all her varied organizations. Ruby was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many teaching and leadership positions throughout her life. These included ward and stake Primary and Relief Society presidencies and many other service callings. She and Andy served a full-time LDS mission in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission from 1985 to 1987. Perhaps Ruby’s greatest attribute was the unfailing and whole-hearted support she always gave to her family and friends. Her favorite phrase was “Call 911 Grandma.” And they did. We will all miss her feisty Irish stubbornness, let’s-get-the-work-done attitude and of course her charitable angel touch. She is survived by her sons, Mel (Gwen) and Charlie (Janna) of Tooele, daughter Andrea (Bob) Lanthier of St. George, 21 grandchildren and their spouses, 57 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless others who considered her “Mom” and “Grandma.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Andy, daughter Kathleen M. Roberts, her parents, brothers and sisters. Our family expresses their deepest appreciation to Sharon Lintner and the many nursing professionals that provided care to Ruby during her final years. Funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Tooele Stake Center, 253 S. 200 East, Tooele. A viewing will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St. in Tooele, and noon on Saturday at the stake center.