Ruby Jean McGartland,age 63, of Quincy passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Blessing Hospital.
Ruby was born January 9, 1956 in Quincy to Clarence and Dorothy Upschulte.

Ruby graduated from Quincy High School in 1974 and went on to earn a B.S. in French and Elementary Education, and an M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Western Illinois University. Ruby had many jobs during her life, all focused on helping others. She worked at Community Counseling Center (now Transitions), was a licensed interpreter of American Sign Language and taught it at JWCC, and most recently was employed at the State of Missouri Department of Mental Health from which she retired. Her love of interpreting and teaching ASL was evident to her students, and provided her with many opportunities, including interpreting for President Obama while he made a campaign stop in Quincy.

After she retired, she remained active in the community, co-founding the Kidney Patient Support Group of the Quincy area. With this group, she advocated for patients and worked closely with the National Kidney Foundation – even traveling to Washington D.C. to advocate to legislators for more support for Kidney patients. As a kidney patient herself, she was a strong and determined person and survived on dialysis for 11 years.

Ruby was a very giving person and her home was always open to friends, family, and foster animals. She loved to sing, as evidenced by her love for karaoke and singing professionally for weddings and other events.

Most of all, Ruby loved her children Brandon and Kensey dearly and was always there for them whenever needed. Ruby wanted her friends and family to know how much they have meant to her in her life. She was blessed to know you and receive your love. Know that you are blessed to be such wonderful people. Enjoy life, music, and most of all each other.

Ruby is survived by her son Brandon and his wife Casey (Ewalt) of Quincy, her daughter Kensey of Quincy, a brother, Bernie Upschulte and his wife Connie of Nashua, NH, and her nieces, Kristi (Sean) Damboise and Kelly (Casey) Spencer.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Interment in Quincy Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (Quincy Senior Center), or the American Diabetes Association.