September 20, 1910 – August 4, 2013
The second member of the First Class FlyerTeam, and its most senior, passed away most peacefully at the age of 102. This page honors Ruby Fern Bennett. It is an acknowledgment of her importance to this publication and to its publisher.
Moreover, it’s an attempt to record a little of a life lived long, lovingly, instructively and inspiringly.
You’ll not find much, if anything, about Ruby on theInternet. She was one of the last to make it out, beforeGoogle could get a handle on her. Yet she was to the end a woman of today, far too interested in the now to ever let nostalgia take her back to the then. Perhaps this explains her special wisdom, informed as richly by her continued love of life – or rather, her love of living it – as by her eras of experience.
She died young, in truth. Sure, there were many birthdays. Her last was just one short –within days – of her mother’s last (who,the family quipped, was “afflicted with longevity”). Ruby cared for her 103½ year-old mother at home.
Ruby Bennett will be – directly and indirectly– a perennial example to, and a continuing influence on, the five generations who earlier this year gathered and laughed by her side.
She was an enthusiast who 17 years ago invested all she could in FCF as a fledgling idea – financially, physically and emotionally.Ruby continued as a proofreader for many years, long past the days when her eyesight discouraged such activity.
When many – family and friends included– found it hard to get their head around an“upgrade newsletter”, and its founder’s confidence fluctuated, Ruby bestowed optimism.
Perhaps most of all, Ruby was a rich contributor to many principles which form
the foundation of theUpgrade Mindset.
She was always a gracious mentor to Matthew who will miss her terribly. Her postcard to him, when he was in spring training in1993, set him on this course: “Don’t let the world pour you into its mold”.
“Don’t listen to the masses”… “Don’t immediately believe what you hear”… Grandma’s mantras were always positive, even when they started with “Don’t”. And coming from a best friend, soul-nourishing. That’s really what’s to be acknowledged here.
Ruby Bennett was a best friend to Matthew,who was privileged to spend four years in his twenties living with her. They went everywhere together, he about a quarter her age, trying to keep up with Ruby.
We thank you for reading this and Matthew especially does. The public expression of gratitude for Ruby’s guiding friendship, the amazing grace and love she had for him, and the role she played in making FCF what it is today, is very important — to all related to FCF.