Published: November 25, 2009 01:59 pm      

Ruby Jean Bays of Zionsville

Ruby Jean Bays of Zionsville passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Nov. 17, 2009 at St. Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis. She was born on April 13, 1929 in Danville to Jerry and Edna (Disney) Lind.

Bays graduated from Cumberland High School in Kentucky in 1947 and from the St. Vincent School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1950. She married Donald Bays, Jr. on Sept. 23, 1956, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Zionsville American Legion in 2006.

She was a Registered Nurse who provided comfort and care to patients through her work for the American Red Cross, St. Francis Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s Home for Unwed Mothers and St. Vincent Hospital. She retired from her position as a Supervisor of Nursing on the night shift at St. Vincent in 1991 after 35 years of service to that charitable hospital. Following retirement, she volunteered for the St. Vincent Guild for many years.

Bays is survived by her husband, Don Bays, three children, Donna Bays, J.D. and her children Jennifer Bays Beinart and Steven Bays Beinart; Ron Bays, M.D., his wife Sussan Bays, M.D. and their children Iman, Cameron and Braydon Bays; and Tom Bays, J.D., his wife Lisa Bays, M.S., their children Chris, Katie, and Lucy Bays, and three sisters: Malissie Murphy, Kathy Wetherald, and Geri Watts.

Mrs. Bays was a member of the Zionsville United Methodist Church, the St. Vincent Guild and the St. Vincent Nursing Alumni Association.

Funeral services were on Friday, Nov. 20 at the Zionsville United Methodist Church, 9644 Whitestown Road, Zionsville. Burial followed at Lincoln Memory Gardens. Visitation was on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center-Zionsville, 105 W. Pine St., Zionsville.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent Guild or the Zionsville United Methodist Church.