Obituary of Ruby Laird

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Ruby Glendine Beckett Laird announces her passing in Hampton on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Born on October 23, 1934 in New Jerusalem, she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Mildred (Machum) Beckett.

Ruby was the baby of the family and as a young girl she loved playing with her cousins down by the line fence and taking her dog to help her collect the eggs. During their last winter in Jerusalem, Ruby was the last schoolteacher at the Inchby School. Mum often spoke of how she treasured their last winter there before having to leave. The family re-located to Bloomfield, and Ruby worked in Saint John as a teller at the Bank of Montreal.

In 1958 she and Jimmy were married and they started Laird Construction Ltd in Hampton. Mum raised six kids, was a great cook and baker, and made a happy home that was always open to neighbour kids and visiting relatives. Life was busy with the business, and Mum had a generous and empathetic spirit, helping those in need and never seeking the spotlight.

Growing up in a musical family, Mum loved music and going to musical gatherings and concerts. Mum played piano and in later years got so much enjoyment playing hymns. Visiting relatives and maintaining connections with people from the ‘camp area’ was especially important to Mum. Family trips in the station wagon with a picnic lunch by Beckett’s Lake was a week-end ritual.

Mum loved family and going to the beach with the kids and Evelyn.  She loved her faithful dogs (Pat, Tabby and Ben), gardening and going for walks. She loved to talk but never gossiped. She loved vacations but hated leaving home.

Two family trips to Florida with all eight of us were especially memorable. Mum’s many trips included Bermuda, Florida, Cuba, Scotland, the Calgary Stampede and an Alaskan cruise. And she and Dad loved just going for a drive.

Since childhood, Ruby has been a devout believer, remaining active in the church family throughout her life, and Mum is now happily reunited with her family in heaven.

Sadly, Ruby was the last of her family. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her siblings Deedy (Sam Doherty), George, Evelyn (Tom Anderson), Don (Eleanor Braydon), Colie, and two sisters lost in childhood – Greta and Dorothy. Ruby is also predeceased by her husband, Jimmy Laird, also of New Jerusalem.

Ruby is survived by her children Susan (Joseph Simmons), Bermuda; Brenda (David Perras), Ottawa; Bradley James, Sussex; Dianne (Andrew London), Hampton; Scott, British Columbia; and Melanie, Fredericton; 10 grandchildren Liam, Adam and Rachelle Perras, Ottawa; Laird, Beckett, Lilyanna, Serena, Gloria and Machum Simmons, Bermuda; and Laurissa (Anders Lundholm), Sweden; and two great-grandchildren Edwin and William Lundholm, Sweden.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Home (506-832-5541), Hampton, NB, where the visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM. The funeral service will take place on Friday, June 27, 2025, 2 PM at the Bloomfield Baptist Church. The interment will take place at the Hampton Rural Cemetery. Donations in memory of Ruby can be made to the Hampton Rural Cemetery, Dr. V A Snow Centre, Bloomfield Baptist Church or the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and memorial donations may be made through ReidsFH.com.