1926 ~ 2016

Ruby passed away peacefully on June 6th, two weeks before her 90th birthday. She has been reunited with her husband Tom and is alert and happy once again.

Born to Andrew and Calista Defa, June 20th 1926 in Tabiona, Utah, a small town in the Uinta Basin. She loved growing up in that little town and always talked about the good memories she had as a child growing up in "Tabby". She attended and graduated from Tabiona high school.

Her family consisted of her mom (Calista) and dad (Andrew), 3 brothers (Alva, Basil, Murray) and 2 sisters (Gladys, Collie), she was the second oldest, 1 year younger than Alva. There was always lots of food and love in the house. Calista and her daughters loved quilting. They made quilts for family, friends and neighbors, lots of people have quilts made by the "Defa girls". She and her sisters were very close, they went on may trips all over the world, and spent many days together, shopping and just having fun.

Ruby married Thomas B Roberts on February 4th 1946, in Las Vegas Nevada. They had a son (Terry) in January 1947, They lived in Tabby for about 3 years before moving to Salt Lake, where Tom worked for Kennecott Copper. When Terry was old enough to go to school, Ruby got a job working for Sweets Candy company, which was a perfect job for her, since she loved chocolate. She was a very supportive mother. She attended all of Terry's sporting events and rooted like crazy, win or lose.

She was an active member of the LDS church, a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and a member of the Old Time Fiddlers association (she loved to hear them play).

She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, parents Calista, and Andrew, and her brother Alva.

She is survived by her son Terry (Becky) Roberts; her sisters: Gladys (Dave) Colvin and Collie Josie; her brothers: Basil Defa, and Murray (Marvel) Defa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the Staff of Sunrise of Sandy for the outstanding care she received during her stay with them. We would also like to thank Solstice Health for their tender care and support.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 11th at McDougal Funeral home, 4330 South Redwood road at 11:00 am, with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Valley View Cemetery. Services are in the care of Olpin-Hoopes Funeral Home - Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinhoopes.com