Ruby May Hollis

Ruby May Hollis, 92, formerly of Hannibal, Missouri, passed away on January 25, 2016. She is survived by her son, Gary Lee Hollis, daughter-in-law, Barbara Diem Hollis of North Potomac, Maryland; grandsons Steven (Jill) Hollis of Santa Clarita, California; Daniel Hollis of Brooklyn, New York and grand-daughter Courtney also of North Potomac. She also leaves behind great-grandchildren Emma and Thomas Hollis. Ruby was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy "Tad" Hollis, on December 14, 2010. Ruby and Tad were married in 1943, observed almost 70 years of married life, and were truly "soul mates." Ruby was born in Ewing, Missouri to Effie and Charles Keck and grew up on a farm. She was the youngest and the only girl in the family. She was preceded in death by her brothers Stanley, Russell and Clyde. She attended Kirkville State Teachers College. It was on several visits to Florida in the 50's that Ruby and Tad discovered the joys of living in a warm, tropical climate. So, in 1957 they packed their bags, left the icy clutches of Missouri and moved to Sarasota. For many years, Ruby worked as an Administrative Secretary at Electro Mechanical Research (EMR). Then, in 1973, she became Executive Secretary at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens—two years before the gardens were open to the public. Ruby was an avid gardener who raised orchids and relished the ambience of the gardens. In fact, it was her love of orchids that prompted her to apply for the secretarial position at Selby Gardens. Her own collection included 150 orchids, two butterfly gardens and numerous palms and bromeliads. When she retired from the gardens after twenty-plus years, she had been there the longest of all the employees. In an article commemorating her retirement, she was described as the "foremost perennial" and "the spirit of Selby." After retiring, Ruby enjoyed spending time with Tad tending their garden as well as traveling to Maryland and the Southwest where her grandson attended the College of Santa Fe. Other travels included Madrid, Spain where Gary was working and a trip to Hawaii to attend grandson Steve's wedding. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 31, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Gulf Gate Chapel, 6903 South Tamiami Trail. A memorial service will also be held here on Monday, February 1 at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at Sarasota Memorial Park, 5833 South Tamiami Trail. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruby's name to Tidewell Hospice.

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Ruby May Hollis

June 5, 1923 - January 25, 2016