Ruby Eileen (Milner) Thie, 89, passed away Friday, August 9, 2019, ending her 2½ year journey with Dementia.  Family members were by her side.  Ruby was born September 9, 1929, in Beech Grove, Indiana, to John and Mildred Milner.  Though she spent most of her life living in Indianapolis, at the time of her death, Ruby was a resident of Auguste’s Cottage at Allisonville Meadows Senior Community in Fishers.

Ruby’s husband, Julius, preceded her in death by 62 years, dying of Leukemia at the age of 27.  Though they dreamed of having one dozen children, they were blessed with three sons.  Ruby was pregnant with their youngest son at the time of her husband’s death.  She is survived by sons Mark (Dodie) Thie, Matt Thie, and Chris (Debbie) Thie.  Ruby, known to some as Eileen, is the proud grandma of 9 grandchildren…Megan, Ryan, Evan, Brian, Holley, Jennifer, Becky, T. J., and Josh…and 10 great-grandchildren.  Preceding her in death were two brothers, Ralph Milner and Johnny (Marge) Milner, and two sisters, Martha Howard and RuthAnn VanNote.  She is survived by her sister Mildred (Ed) Holloran and her brother Davey (Judy) Milner.

As a young child, Ruby had a lot of responsibility helping her father raise her six siblings after her mother died shortly after the birth of her parents’ youngest child.  Adding this to Ruby’s adult life that she spent raising her own three children by herself after her husband’s premature death, made for a strong, tough, and brave woman.  Ruby was known as independent to a fault and was always willing to speak her truth on any issue.  Those who knew her were often recipients of her giving ways.

Ruby chose an adventurous life!  On her own, she lived in and meticulously cared for the home her husband built them prior to his death.  She lived there for 65 years, with only Dementia pulling her away from her home, to Allisonville Meadows.  Her large yard was always well-groomed by her, and she was most proud of her flowers.  Ruby could often be found riding her bicycle downtown to her job of many years at Wishard Hospital or camping at state parks with her sons.  She took her boys out West, horseback riding in the mountains.  She attempted to walk the Appalachian Trail, but sadly only made it a short distance.  She was an avid downhill skier, both in Michigan and Colorado, and the last time she downhill skied was at the age of 75!

Ruby’s visitation is Saturday, August 17, 2019, 9:30 a.m., at the church where she was a longtime member, St. Therese-Little Flower Catholic Church located at 4720 East 13^th Street, Indianapolis.  Her funeral will follow there at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will be beside her beloved husband Julius at St. Joseph Cemetery in Indianapolis.