Salem - Ruby Davis Cook, 87, died July 7, 2009 in her home. Born Oct. 21, 1921 in Beaver Township, Pennsylvania. She grew up on a farm until the age of 9, when her mother died. Ruby’s exploits as a child and youngest of six children, are chronicled in a book she wrote “The Way Things Were”. She met and married George Howard Cook in 1940, and they set up housekeeping in Millville, Pa. In 1946, the couple with their first child, age 8 months, moved across country with a truck full of antiques they planned to sell to live on.

Ruby is survived by her children; Steve Cook and his wife Nancy of Portland, David (deceased) his wife Karen of Salem, and daughter Georgene Swenson and her husband Ted of Salem. Ruby is also survived by six grandchildren, Andrew Somers, Suzanne Cook, Lacy Combe (Brian), Charles Cook (Shirliann), and Daniel and Nicholas Cook, three great grandsons, Wesley and David Cook and Avun Combe.

Ruby was an avid quilter having won many ribbons at the Marion County and Oregon State Fairs. For many years she was the secretary to the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Please make donations to Willamette Valley Hospice in lieu of flowers.

Family services will be held. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.