Ruby (Jeffers) Neptune

Ruby Jeffers Neptune, formerly of West Newton, Massachusetts, died on December 29, 2010, at the age of ninety. Her husband, Dr. Wilford B. Neptune, died earlier this year. Their marriage of sixty-three years was always one of love and devotion. Ruby, the daughter of Ina Hines Jeffers and Rodolph Jeffers, was born in Kirkersville, Ohio, on December 25, 1920.
Ruby graduated from the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio. She returned to St. Francis Hospital to become Director of the School of Nursing, and it was there that she met Wilford, a medical student training in clinical services. They were married in 1946 and moved to West Newton, Massachusetts, in 1954, when Wilford became an associate of Dr. Richard H. Overholt, Director of the Overholt Thoracic Clinic.
After the births of their children, Lenore and Wilford, Ruby devoted her energy to caring for her family. She was an active volunteer at the local Methodist Church and in the public schools, working as an advocate for children. She also found time for a wide range of interests—raising litters of kittens and puppies, knitting sweaters, weaving baskets, and caning chairs. After her husband developed a passion for growing orchids, she accompanied him to Orchid Society meetings and helped him in designing and setting up flower shows.
After Ruby was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, Wilford lovingly cared for her at home until 2008, when they moved to West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Wilford lived at Edelweiss Village Assisted Living to be near Ruby, who received constant and compassionate care at the German Centre for Extended Care.
In addition to her beloved husband, Dr. Wilford B. Neptune, Ruby was predeceased by four sisters, Vera Bradley, Lena Hamm, Martha Jeffers, and Florence Williamson; four brothers, Lawrence Jeffers, Darrel Jeffers, Wallace Jeffers, and Charles Jeffers, and a grandchild, Jason Howland. She is survived by her two children, Lenore Howland of Reading, Massachusetts, and Wilford Harold Neptune of Acton, Massachusetts; one sister, Ferne Weissman of Needham, Massachusetts; a sister-in-law, Evelyn (White) Jeffers, and five grandchildren, Seth Howland, Aaron Howland, Jocelyn Neptune, Kate Neptune, and Margaret Neptune. Funeral arrangements are by Eaton and Mackay Funeral Home, with burial in Newton Cemetery. Services are private. Donations in Ruby’s memory may be made to the Thoracic Foundation, in care of Bradley Cook or Edward Martin, Landmark Building, 160 Federal St., Boston, MA 02110, or The Deutsches Altenheim Foundation, in care of The German Centre for Extended Care, 2222 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA 02132.

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