Ruby Hoskins (nee Williams) passed away peacefully at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock on April 30, 2004, at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her first son Tommy in 1951, husband Oswald in 1981, and brothers Harold in 1918 and Barry in 2003. She is survived by her sister Mabel in Duncan, brother Gordon in Smithers, son Michael and his wife Janis, grandsons Sean, Jason and Michael, great-grandchildren Harley and Tia, and dozens of nieces, nephews and their progeny located worldwide.
Ruby was born January 11, 1909, in Newbridge, Wales, eldest of five children. Her family emigrated to Canada in 1928, setting up a homestead in the Bulkley Valley. Learning to evade bears and round up horses and cattle, Ruby also waitressed and worked in the Smithers Post Office before marrying Oswald in 1934. While raising two children, Ruby still found time to be active in the Hospital Auxiliary, Cancer Society, Bulkley Valley Picture Loan, the Anglican Church and establishing the Main Street clock.
Ruby was an accomplished artist and her paintings of Hudson Bay Mountain, other valley scenes, totems, and scenes of California and Mexico can be found hanging on walls around the world.
One of her most cherished awards was The Order of the Rose from the Smithers Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, of which she was a sponsor for many years.
Ruby moved to White Rock in 2001 to live closer to Michael and Janis, but always considered Smithers her home. To honour her love of her adopted home, the family requests donations to the Bulkley Valley Foundation in lieu of flowers.