We remember with love

and thanksgiving the life of

Ruby

28th June 1996 - 9th July 2010

Aged 14 years

Scattering of Ashes

at 71 Sunningdale Drive. Skegness

Service conducted by the Rev'd Ian Banks

18th August 2010

Verses from the Wisdom of Solomon

'The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; and he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.'

We meet together as his people of faith as we prepare to scatter the ashes of a dear companion and friend, Ruby, to commend her into the hands of Almighty God. Let us pray:

Merciful God, you have made us and given us your Son for our redemption. We commend our friend and companion Ruby to your perfect mercy and wisdom, for in you alone we put our trust. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the joy of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

All things bright and beautiful
Sung by the Cambridge Singers accompanied by the London Sinfonia conducted by John Rutter.

Today we gather in faith to celebrate and reflect upon memories of Ruby and commit the ashes of her earthly remains to the ground with dignity and grace. As we do so, we remember that although our mortal bodies return to dust, we shall be raised to Christ in glory. Let us rejoice in his promise as we remember the words of scripture:
'You died and now your life lies hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed then you too will be revealed with him in glory' (Colossians 3: 3-4).

Words of tribute and comfort

Let us rejoice in God's promise as we remember Ruby now at peace in an eternity of God's love and peace. A peace which Ruby richly deserves having devoted most of her life in faithful service as the seeing eyes of Jean Seeley, who was blind. After nine years of devoted service Ruby retired.

For the past five years Ruby has enjoyed a well earned rest in the loving care of Pete and Sandra and really benefited from all their love and care, and, of course, the bracing sea air of Skegness.
After her long years of service Ruby quickly settled in Skegness, although it did take her some time to adapt to a non-working role. I remember how she still wouldn't let me cross the road until the signal turned to green.
God used Ruby in a mighty way both in her working life and in her 'retirement'. One of her special joys, and indeed skills, was to greet everyone who came to the door, including Pete and Sandra. No matter who it was she always presented everyone with a gift of a shoe, a toy, or bedding from her basket. Shoes went missing all the time and usually ended up in the garden! Ruby loved the garden but had no respect for plants and flowers.
For the past year Ruby had put her welcoming skills to work at the County Hotel, greeting visitors to our Church meetings every Sunday. She extended her welcoming to hotel guests; without a shoe or toy in her mouth I might add.
Apart from her role as a welcomer, Ruby also facilitated openings into the local community for us as a Church, and her presence at our meetings has encouraged others to attend our meetings.
Outside of Church, Ruby was a great ambassador for the Guide Dogs Association. Her presence at fund-raising events, in schools, in the streets, in supermarkets, has helped raise thousands of pounds and raise awareness for that charity.
Ruby had a special gift with children. On many an occasion she has endeared herself to young children through her great gentleness, even to those who were initially afraid of dogs who usually end up wanting to take her for a walk.
Not just children, but everyone who met Ruby, immediately fell in love with her; she was just so gentle.
She may have been gentle but she was also strong willed as we saw when she fought so hard during her serious illness last year, and as we've witnessed when she ate the ripe tomatoes straight off the vine in Pete's greenhouse, or helped herself to a bar of chocolate from someone's shopping bag, or stole a tasty morsel of food in the kitchen.
We each have our own special memories of Ruby. Happy memories at this sad time. Ruby truly was a great channel of peace to all she came in contact with. We remember that special gift now as we listen to some music.

Make me a channel of your peace
sung by Geraldine Latty

We are all devastated by the loss of Ruby as are all those whose lives she touched with her gentle willingness to serve. Ruby will be sorely missed. But remember that nothing can separate us from her love, nor she from ours. Remember too that Ruby's story hasn't finished yet; it lives on in our hearts and in our memories and in a special place prepared for her. Jesus said, 'In my house there are many rooms and I go to prepare a place for you so that where I am you may be also.
We truly thank God and Ruby for her life among us.

Ruby, you shared your life with us; God give eternal life to you. You gave your love to us; God give his deep love to you. You gave your time to us; God give his eternity to you. You gave your light to us; God give everlasting light to you. Dear Ruby, go upon your journey to love, light, and life eternal until we meet again in Paradise. Amen.

God of all comfort, you are the Lord of the living and the dead, of those we see and of those we cannot see. We thank you that your love for Ruby and for us will never end. We pray that she may dwell in your glorious light where this world of dust and ashes has no dominion. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who died and was raised in glory. Amen.
Almighty God, grant to all of us who mourn, especially Sandra and Pete, the peace of your loving care. May we have the strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a certain hope of the joyful expectation of eternal life with those we love. Amen.

Reverie by a stream

We have commended Ruby to God's everlasting love and care; we now return to the earth the ashes of her mortal body. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.
Father of all, we pray for those we love, but see no longer. Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them, and in your loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.