Ruby L. Schmidt died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in her home on Vashon Island after a long illness. She was 87 years old.

She was born in Thief River Falls, Minn. Her family moved to Vashon in 1922. She attended the Columbia School on Vashon as well as Vashon High School.

She married George Schmidt in 1950 and took on the responsibility of six stepchildren along with one of her own.

Her husband, George, and two stepdaughters, Myla Garvin and Miggy Wilsie died earlier.

Survivors include her daughter Betty Fisher of Vashon Island, sister Vera Martin and husband Mike, brother Earl Rose and wife Vera of Seattle, grandsons Ken Fisher of Honolulu, Michael Fisher and his wife Cindy of Vashon, granddaughters Stacie Bennet and partner Todd Caugill of Graham, Michelle Nakaya and husband Matt, their three daughters, Kiana, and Kaili and Kaylie who were born only hours before Ruby died, stepchildren Ed Schmidt and wife Beth, Esther Calhoun, Elsa Mae Williams and husband Clayton, all of Vashon, George Schmidt and wife Donna of Seattle as well as countless great and great great grandchildren.

The family acknowledges the services of Dr. Sjardo Steneker, Vashon Visiting Nurse Services and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue. They say the could not have made it through the hard times without the support of those people.

There will be a gathering at the family home all day Sunday, Feb. 23, at 19805 Vashon Highway. Friends are invited to stop by and write a favorite memory of Ruby in a remembrance book.