Mrs. Ruby Maria Mingo is a sassy 105-year-old woman who has outlived her siblings, small days friends and many others of her generation. Meeting this small-framed woman for the first time one is immediately struck by her welcoming face, wide full-toothed smile.
Sitting with Ruby one also gets strong conversational vibes as she is very engaging thoughtful. Ruby is no doubt high functioning physically and mentally and she ensures that you know that before parting company.
She reads without spectacles, has a lot of short and long term memory intact, walks briskly with a walking aid. Her daughter Paula, laughingly declares that “Ruby still runs her family and “controls things.”
Ruby knows what she wants, says what she wants and gets what she wants when she wants it. For her recent birthday celebration Ruby was fully engaged in planning various aspects. She keeps in regular communication with her friends and family.
The Mingo family matriarch was born on November 8, 1919 in Gibraltar, East Berbice, Corentyne. She remembers her favorite teachers and recalls their platinum advice, “whatever the mind conceives, it can be achieved.”
Ruby birthed 11 children for a handsome man Wilbert Mingo whom describes as the man she fell in love with, married on Dec 29, 1943 and remained true to for 46 years until he passed away on 5th August 1986.
Today eight of their children are still alive. Altogether they have given her twenty grandchildren two of whom she raised as her last daughter and son. Ruby’s third generation is currently eight great grands. Ruby is well pleased that her children have done well and are all there for her.
Ruby, adopted to living the wife of a Police Officer which meant uprooting and replanting herself and family from community and community wherever her husband was transferred to serve.
Along the way Ruby became a staunch Adventist, a home gardener and a woman who proudly adopted skills to supplement her husband’s income, thus lending financial stability to her home and increasing their ability to purchase their own house.
Ruby lived in Canada for 25 years before returning to Guyana in 2015. She easily shares the man
y other countries, exciting places, various memorable shows and sites she visited. She enjoyed summer outdoor activities especially going apple picking. Today she only regrets not experiencing a cruise around the Caribbean.
Her sage wisdom recommends, faith in God, loving family life, positive attitudes”, wise diet, keeping young friends, exercising both body and mind and She lives by every bit of her advice.
She walks daily, does, puzzles, knitting and reads her bible and daily news. Ruby is very proud of herself, her achievement and her functional abilities which you do not have to ask her to prove for she is only too willing to do so. We were told Ruby also loves chocolates.
During the recent and post pandemic period Ruby was very meticulous with meeting strangers. She would caution you to wear a mask as she herself donned hers. She has the survival tactics right down to doing fist bumps.
Village Voice News congratulates and celebrates Mrs. Ruby Mingo on her achievement of longevity. She is a true Guyanese treasure a blessing to her family and those whom she inspired.