Ruby says she ‘doesn’t feel too bad’ at 100

It would take some going to bridge the age gap between Ruby Ringland and her great grandson Jesse - a whopping 99 years and seven months.
Ruby Ringland reads her telegram from the Queen as she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday on Thursday. Picture: Cliff DonaldsonRuby Ringland reads her telegram from the Queen as she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday on Thursday. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Ruby Ringland reads her telegram from the Queen as she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday on Thursday. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Last Thursday Lurgan woman Ruby celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at her Glenfield Road home.

“For 100 I don’t feel too bad,” she told the ‘MAIL’.

Ruby was born in Waringstown, one of nine brothers and sisters.

She went to school in Waringstown and worked in the local factory, Hennings, as a weaver. She also worked in Mercer and Brown’s factory, again as a weaver.

Ruby said: “I always worked as a weaver. There was nothing else to do.”

She married James Ringland in 1941 in Moore’s Hill Apostolic Church, but she was to become a widow when her husband passed away at the age of just 33.

Ruby never remarried, instead focusing her energies on her work and her family - son Sidney and daughter Emily.

Ruby continued to work until the age of 70.

The family lived at Thornhill, close to Burnhill just outside Waringstown, before moving to Donaghcloney then Glenfield Road.

Her son Sidney married Barbara and her daughter Emily married John White. Both of Ruby’s children have a child each of their own. Kathy was born to Emily and John while Sidney and Barbara had Gillian, who went on to have three boys - Joel, Thomas and Jesse. At five months old the age gap between Jesse and his great grandmother is 99 years and seven months.

When asked for the secret to long life Ruby, a member of Lurgan Apostolic Church, said: “Doing what’s right and giving your heart to the Lord.”