Ruby L. Hodson

Ruby (Newitt) Hodson was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah on June 6, 1934 to parents George and Minnie Newitt. The family moved to Fruita where she attended Hunter Elementary School and Fruita Union High School. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, child of God, and friend who emanated beauty inside and out. She passed away on December 15, 2025.

In 1951, she married Ernest Duane Hodson. Ruby joined Duane at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. They were later stationed in Topeka, Kansas where she welcomed her first child, Debra, in 1954. After Duane's Air Force career, the family returned to Loma where they purchased a farm and welcomed their second child, Tom. Their third child, Patti, joined the family in 1960. The couple were married for 68 years before the passing of Duane in 2019.

Ruby excelled in canning, gardening, baking and cooking. She was a gifted artist who worked in several mediums, including oil and tole painting and fiber arts-sewing, quilting, and crocheting. Her work was featured in several craft fairs and is still enjoyed by family and friends. She played the piano and was an organist for her church. She was an avid Colorado sports fan who rooted for the Rockies, Avs, and Broncos.

Ruby was most happy when surrounded by family. She prioritized spending quality time with her family members and went above and beyond to make them feel special and loved. She was often found behind the lens of a video camera documenting their milestones. Her home cooked meals and five layer chocolate cake were legendary. She often prepared family and friends' favorite meals or baked treats for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays. She went out of her way to make her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews feel loved. She became a surrogate patriarch to her nieces and nephews after the passing of her brothers and sister, stepping in to offer support and comfort.

Ruby had a fondness for animals and had several pets (large and small) over the course of her lifetime. She welcomed her children's and grandchildren's pets into the family and spoiled them as if they were her own.

In her later years, she discovered the power of texting and soon became the hub of all family communication. She relished in sharing and celebrating her loved ones' accomplishments and she regularly updated friends and family. She loved receiving messages and pictures through text. Throughout her life she took the time to acknowledge special occasions with a handwritten card. These acts of love and kindness soon evolved into loving texts (including emojis) on holidays and birthdays expressing her love and appreciation.

Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Duane, her son Tom, sister Bettie Muhlestein, brothers Joe and Corky Newitt, and other nieces and nephews.

She will be missed by her daughters Debra (Melvin) Buniger, Patti (Nick) Cholas, her five grandchildren-Sarah, Matt, Luke (Rochelle), Ashley, and Zach (Iesha,) 11 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to recognize La Villa Grande and HopeWest for their compassion and kindness while caring for Ruby. In lieu of flowers, they request that a donation be made to HopeWest in her honor.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Spring 2026.