06/19/2024
While on the walking tours, I like to stop for a few moments in the Watson park so folks can enjoy the shade and a seat while I tell a story or two. I always look up at the mural on the wall and immediately get a smile on my face. I smile because every day I get reminded of Ruby Lee Daisey.
Chincoteague has lots of stories of important people, politicians, community leaders, military heros.....and then there’s Ruby.
Born in 1946, Ruby was a sweet and active toddler. ( just look at the photo of her as a little cutie pie!!!) Around the age of 3, it was apparent she wasn’t thriving as expected. ( Ruby has fallen out of a boat bunk around that age and that may have contributed to her delays in speech and general progress). In spite of that, Ruby eventually started school. After a year of struggling to learn and fit in , it was determined she should stay home. (Ruby Lee so wanted to fit in, to talk and play with the other children but just didn’t know how. )
Until Ruby was a teenager, she spent most of her time at home. She would sit at the front door watching the cars and people go by, itching to get out there. She did have a Chincoteague Pony named Peanut and dear siblings that looked out for her.
In her teenage years, Ruby grew an independent streak. With age came independence, spending the day crabbing at Tom’s Cove Campground was not unusual, and as she got older, walking to local restaurants to see how she could help, assisting at summer bible school, singing in the choir at several churches, helping at the flower shop, retail shops, making friends all along the way. Her abilities were limited but it didn’t matter, she could always find something to do to help. Not for money, mind you, just for her desire to be helpful! ( Although, she was always given something for her efforts) Unable to drive, it was a daily occurrence for folks to pull over if they saw Ruby walking down the road and give her a ride to wherever she was headed. The best thing about Ruby was her giving heart. Ruby never held back on her feeling for those she saw as friends. She loved everyone and said so. She always left a conversation with “ I love you”.
Instead of feeling like an outcast something magical happened. Ruby cast a spell on every person she meet.
It did not matter that she sang a little too loud or way off key, everyone loved her. She performed at the high school talent show year after year ( after year, after year😊) Always winning a special trophy. It was a given. Im so proud of our town, it would have been easy to laugh at or not include Ruby but they never treated her like that. Her heart was too big to let that happen.
Eventually, Ruby Lee learned a special talent, making yarn covered hangers, which she sold for 25 cents each. She would often sit in town (where our little Watson park is now) and work on her hangers. She would sell those hangers all day.....
Ruby Lee passed away in 2003. A very sad day indeed. She left behind a big void..... If only we could imbrace some of her unconditional love...
In preparing to write this post, I asked friends on my personal page to tell me what they remembered about Ruby and the response was overwhelming. Literally, hundreds of comments,personal accounts, fond memories. I frankly don’t know how Ruby Lee could have been in so many places, involved in so many activities, helped so many people. It was her mission in life to help and she sure did!
Oh, and did I mention the hangers???
A prized possession now for so very many people.
In the little park, you will see a beautiful mural. On it, is an Angel ( Ruby in the Sky with diamonds) and notice what’s hanging off her foot.... a yarn covered hanger 💕💕💕💕💕💕
