Ruby Glass

Ruby Glass, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully January 3, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Ruby had just recently celebrated her 100th birthday and passed away after welcoming the New Year.

Ruby was born September 25, 1924 in Paris, Texas to Hugh and Alma (Allen) Harvey. She was the oldest of 4 children. Ruby met George while attending Paris High School. The two were married in 1942 after graduating. George enlisted in the Marines and was sent to San Diego for basic training. Ruby and George were then stationed in Santa Barbara, where he was deployed to the South Pacific during World War II. Ruby went to work at the local Kress’ Department Store while she waited for George to return from overseas.

After the war, George returned to Santa Barbara and began working at Jordano’s as a meat cutter. Ruby and George then started their own business, the Handy Food Market, in 1953. It was a small, family-run grocery store on Milpas Street. George ran the meat department and Ruby worked the register. The store soon became popular with the families on the east side and the Riviera and was the place to not only shop, but a hub to visit and chat with one another. Ruby liked the chatting part the best. After closing the Handy Food Market in 1969, she began working as a Teacher’s Aid for
the Santa Barbara School District. She loved working with the teachers and students until she retired at the age of 76.

George and Ruby had 3 boys, George (Tom) Jr., Ron, and Rick who all helped at the store as they grew up. They were members of the First Methodist Church and very active in the boys’ school and sports activities.

In what little spare time she had, Ruby enjoyed many activities. This included square dancing with the Fairs & Squares, ballroom dancing, swing dancing, and cha-cha. Ruby always felt at home on the dance floor with George. They were so good together, they even won first place in a “Dancing with the Stars” competition at the age of 88 on one of their many Princess Cruise trips. Ruby was an avid golfer, water skier, poet, and motorcycle rider. Ruby traveled behind George as a passenger across the USA and Canada on their motorcycle after retiring. They also traveled hundreds of thousands of
miles sailing on cruises and have seen almost every corner of the world, but they always looked forward to their return to Santa Barbara.
 Ruby and George were active supporters of the Elks Club and could be found on the dance floor every week. They were members of the Hits & Misses Golf Club and helped with many of the golf tournaments at Santa Barbara Community Golf Course for many years. Ruby and George, with the help of their sons, built the family cabin in the Los Padres Forest.

Ruby is preceded in death by her beloved George, as well as her son Tom and is survived by her son Ron and his wife Barbie, her son Rick and his wife Debi, 4 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.


A special thanks to Central Coast Hospice & Vista Del Monte for their loving care.

Graveside services will be held at Santa Barbara Cemetery on Wednesday, January 15th at 10am. A reception will follow at 11am at Mulligan’s.