Ruby Irene Davis Mocabee
courtesy photo
Ruby Mocabee
RONAN – Ruby Irene Davis Mocabee, 100, of Ronan passed away at her home on Thursday, April 30, 2015, of natural causes.
Ruby was born Aug. 8, 1914, in Melstone, Montana, to Artemus and Edna Davis. She was one of six children that grew up on the family homestead. The family moved to the Crow Indian Reservation to start a dairy farm on the Little Big Horn River.
Her best friend was Myrtle Big Man and they were like sisters. Chief Max Big Man and Chief Plenty Coup adopted Ruby into the Crow Tribe, an honor she held in high regard her whole life. Her Indian Name was “Laughing Woman,” as she was known for her laugh.
She married her childhood sweetheart Finley (Jack) Mocabee in Hardin and they lived in Sheridan, Wyoming and Hardin before settling in the Moiese Valley to run a farm.
In 1952 the family moved to Ronan. Ruby worked a variety of jobs as an LPN before starting a floral shop, which she ran for 37 years. She relished making all the floral arrangements for special family occasions. After retiring from the floral business, Ruby and Finley traveled around in their motor home visiting family.
They returned to Ronan to be fully retired and begin new adventures living on the Linse Family Ranch. Ruby was a devoted, 50-year member of Eastern Star. She traveled for many functions and became Worthy Matron of Mystic #53.
She lost her husband of 69 years in 2001, but this did not slow her down. One of her greatest joys was caring for her great grandchildren, Taylor and Tyler Linse, throughout their childhood. She also enjoyed dancing and playing cards.
Her most recent milestone was celebrating her 100th birthday with friends and family. She also received special recognition at a ceremony with Governor Steve Bullock. She would say reaching 100 was no big deal but you could see her smile from ear to ear when she was able to spend this time with both sides of her family and numerous community members.
She was known as Barbie doll grandma to some of her grandchildren because she wore high heels everywhere she went and was always dressed “to the nines” for events and gatherings.
To say Ruby had a fulfilled life would be an understatement. She was loved by many and did so much for many.
Ruby’s husband; two sons; one daughter; one daughter-in-law; four grandchildren and all of her immediate Davis family, precede her in death.
She is survived by sons Lance (Leah) Mocabee of Idaho and Richard (Emily) Mocabee of Spokane; daughter-in-law Betty Mocabee (Francis) of Missoula; daughters Beverly (Richard) Linse of Ronan, Marty (Bill) Burrell of Plains, Jane (Robert) Davisson of Homer Alaska; 26 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and 44 great, great-grandchildren (including two sets of five generation women).
A graveside Eastern Star service will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at Ruby’s home on Linse Lane.
The family requests that memorials be made to the organization of the donor’s choice.
