Ruby Juanita

Greene Kvam

Former Columbia Falls resident Ruby Juanita Greene Kvam passed away in Martinez, Calif., on Feb. 3, 2010 with her daughter Beverley and caregiver Lena at her side, followingthe long slow course of Alzheimer's disease.

Ruby was born on Jan. 3, 1917 in Michel, British Columbia,to Ferdin and Elizabeth Greene, the oldest of five children. She grew up in Columbia Falls before moving to California during World War II to work in the civilian war effort, initially for the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong and later for the Kaiser shipyards in Richmond. She remained in the San Francisco East Bay area following the war and was employed as a bookkeeper and salesperson for a variety of businesses over the years. She enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, and traveling, especially on cruises. She loved her family, treasured her friends, and was always ready to help anyone in need. She will be remembered, in the words of her son-in-law Bob, as "a great cook, a very classy lady, and someone who everyone liked."

Ruby will be missed by her daughter Beverley Penzien (Bob) of Martinez; grand-daughters Jackie O'Connell (Sean) of Sacramento, Calif., and Bonnie Penzien of San Diego, Calif.; brothers Howard Greene of Columbia Falls and Melvin "Smoke" Greene of Austin, Texas; stepson Terry Kvam (Anita) of Belmont, Calif.; dear friend Ann Saxby of Berkeley, Calif.; and long-time caregiver Lena Limpin (and family) of Martinez, Calif. Arrangements made through the Neptune Society of Northern California, Walnut Creek, Calif. According to her wishes, Ruby's ashes will be scattered in the mountains near Columbia Falls later this summer.