Obituaries : Ruby W. Mumford; Volunteer at Medical Center

Ruby W. Mumford, a homemaker who helped build her family’s first home, died Monday at home in Ventura after a six-year battle with colon cancer. She was 75.

Mumford was born Aug. 26, 1921, in Peoria, Ill. In 1923, she moved with her parents to Toledo, Ohio, where she graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1939. While in high school, she served as a reporter for the school newspaper and the yearbook.

She and her high school sweetheart, Vic Mumford, were married Sept. 18, 1942, and Ruby followed her husband to each of his assigned Army Air Corps posts.

At the end of World War II, they worked side by side designing and constructing their first home in Toledo. Vic Mumford said Ruby laid drainage tile, installed windows and poured concrete floors and driveways.

The couple adopted two children, Keith in 1950 and Vikki in 1954. Ruby passed along her needlework skills to her daughter while making most of her own and Vikki’s clothing.

Ruby was an avid square dancer, belonging to several dance clubs in Toledo, and she and Vic taught square dance classes for many years. She also was active in Scouting, serving for several years as a Girl Scout troop leader and holding camp-outs in the backyard.

They moved to Ventura in 1982 upon Vic’s retirement, and Ruby became an active member of College United Methodist Church in Ventura.

She was instrumental in starting the volunteer baby cuddler program at Ventura County Medical Center, becoming its first volunteer. She spent many hours each week for five years with the infants until her illness took too much of her time and energy, according to family members.

In addition to her husband, Mumford is survived by her daughter, Vikki S. Mumford of Liberty Center, Ohio, and son, Keith Mumford of Cincinnati, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary of College United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Phyllis Tyler-Wayman officiating. A reception will follow in Pruit Hall at the church.

Interment will be in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park, Toledo.

Memorial contributions may be made to Recordings for the Blind, 20 Roszel Road, Princeton, N.J., 08540.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.