In Memory

Ruby Kelly-Brewer VIEW PROFILE

Ruby Kelly-Brewer (Ruby Kelly-King). 2015

After a period of mysteriously failing health, Ruby Kelly-Brewer passed away on 18 July, 2015 in Wimberley, TX, apparently of pancreatic cancer.

Paul Brewer welcomes phone calls (251-752-2968 or -2969) or mail ( P.O. Box 1081, Wimberley, TX 78676). Note that Paul does not currently have computer or email access.

She touched generations of Overseas Maryland faculty, staff and students, both in Europe and Asia through the many positions she held from the 1970's until her retirement in 2007. Her passing is deeply mourned.

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Ruby Kelly-Brewer [Ruby Kelly-King] – Deceased July 18, 2015

Ruby was the quintessential Overseas Maryland staff member.  Her middle name was “How can I help?” and help she did.  Few can rival the number of different positions she held between July 1976, when she joined the European Division as Field Representative for the Frankfurt Military Community (UMUC’s best steal ever from City Colleges of Chicago) and retired as Director of Student Affairs for the Asian Division in July, 2007.

In the European Division, Ruby served as Field Representative Advisor; Assistant to the Director, Student Services; Director of Student Services for the Schwäbisch Gműnd campus (while simultaneously carrying out special assignments related to student recruitment and Field Representative training in Bahrain and Montevideo, Uruguay); Registrar and Director of Student Affairs.  In 2003, she transferred to the Asian Division as the PeopleSoft Project Manager and became Student Affairs Director in July 2006 until her retirement a year later.

All who had the privilege to work with Ruby also know that her job titles offer only a hint of the extent of her actual duties as she tirelessly volunteered to help out wherever she could. Ruby’s academic endeavors exemplify the breadth of her accomplishments and her commitment to life-long learning:  BA in German, Belhaven College (1968); MA in German, Rice University (1970); advanced graduate work in English and American Literature, Goethe University Frankfurt (1973-1976); AA in Accounting (1988) and BS in Management Studies (1991), UMUC-Europe.

According to her husband, Paul Brewer (another multi-accomplished and tireless Overseas Maryland staff member), the key date in Ruby’s and his life was February 15, 2008, when they married. They had retired initially to Alabama and then relocated to Texas as Ruby’s health began to fail. The cause of her illness was only able to be diagnosed as pancreatic cancer and other complications a few days before her passing.  Our sympathies go out especially to Paul for his tremendous loss. 



 
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07/31/15 07:40 AM #1    

John Nolan

What sad, sad news, and such a shock. Ruby was one of the finest ladies I have ever met, or worked with- kind, geneorus and oh so much fun!   A great teammate of the golf course too. From the day I arrived at headquarters in 2002, Ruby took me under her wing and helped me through the transition from teaching into adminsitration so much. Paul,if you are reading this, I am so, so sorry. I had so much wanted to vist you two in LA- this just goes to show not to put off  things like that- you expect people to always be there, and it hurts so badly  when they have gone before you "get around to it". I know Ruby had some wonderrful adventures with Paul in the past few years, and am so glad they had that together, but this is too soon, far too soon.  "Deeply mourned" simply does not describe it-  Devastating, simply devastating.    


07/31/15 09:55 AM #2    

Rosemarie Anderson

Dear Friends,

As I posted earlier (somewhere on this site), Paul called me about a week or so ago telling of Ruby's protracted decline and death. Very sad. Ruby was and is a beautiful soul. I knew her as a colleague in the Heidelberg office between 1983-87 and thereafter as Paul's wife and a friend. Paul and I have been frieinds since our days together in the Asian Division in 1977-79.

Ruby is fine now, though in all spiritual traditions worldwide prayers for the deceased are helpful and generous acts for us. I send blessings to Ruby and her family/friends and Paul and his.

Love, Rosemarie


07/31/15 02:11 PM #3    

Chris Leche

I am so saddened by Ruby's passing. Ruby was such a kind person, so professional, always working in our students best interest. I always enjoyed our conversations. Though we are all scattered around the world these days, without our "headquarters," it is if our physical home base has become a spiritual one--- UMUC of the heart and soul unites us. We will continue mourning our losses  of like-minded people. Thinking about you, too, Paul, as you process such a deeply felt loss. ---  Chris


08/02/15 12:58 PM #4    

Valerie Mock

I echo John Nolan's comments! Ruby's passing is a real shock; such a friendly and warm person. The world was a better place with her in it.

Condolences to you, Paul, whenever you are 'connected' again.  Valerie


09/01/15 03:38 PM #5    

Larry Arnoldy

I am also said to hear of Riby's passing. I always enjoyed working with her. I remember our many many early morning video conferneces concerning People Soft after she transfered to Asia. My condolences to Paul.


09/02/15 04:11 PM #6    

Daniel Bennette

I am so sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing. My condolences go out to Paul and their family/friends.

Ruby was truly a Maryland globetrotter, having served students, faculty and staff in multiple locations. For all the years that I’ve known Ruby, she was always one of the most professional people that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I know in the European Division, she set “standards of excellence” in the positions that she held.  I am sure she will be greatly missed by many.


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