Ruby Bolster, 86, Active in City Affairs For Over 50 Years

.
SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES

December 1, 2010

Ruby Bolster, active city resident for over 50 years, passed away November 23 after a brief hospital stay. She was 86.

A gathering of family and friends will take place Wednesday, December 8, from 4-8 p.m. at Cherry Hill Farm House, 312 Park Avenue.

Ruby Skoog grew up in Minneapolis and there met and married her husband, Mel Bolster, after meeting on a blind date.  They moved to Washington so that Mel could work at the State Department.  They later moved to the City of Falls Church in 1958.  She worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis, Federal Water Council, and DeVol Funeral Home in Washington.

Ruby created her place in Falls Church by joining and actively supporting many organizations and helping to create organizations to support her causes.  She first  joined  the League of Women Voters.  She and her long time friend Mildred Pope and others worked together to ensure the preservation of Cherry Hill Farm House and helped to create the Friends of Cherry Hill.

In 2005 Ruby and her husband Mel were recognized and honored by the Village Preservation and Improvement Society with the “Spirit of Falls Church Award” for their lifetime of commitment to the improvement of the fabric of the community.   She and her husband were among a half dozen that organized the force of the citizenry to help save the historic Lawton House that was threatened with destruction.  From that, the re-founding of VPIS occurred in 1965.

Through the years, Ruby was also an active member in the City of Falls Church Historical Commission,  Falls Church Garden Club, American Scandinavian Society, and Drott Lodge, as well as the Falls Church Presbyterian Church, Mary Styles Library Book Club, Celebration Center for Spiritual Living, Antique Arts, the Victorian Society, and the Citizens for a Better City.

She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Laurie Bolster (and Lyn Iannazzo) of Falls Church, and Jeff Bolster (and Terri) and two grandchildren, Victor and Hannah of Manassas. Her husband died in 2005, and her son Mark died at age 17 in 1972 from an automobile accident.

A memorial service and interment are planned for spring 2011.