MASSENA - Ruby L. LaValley, 93, of the St. Regis Nursing Home, died peacefully on September 11, 2019 surrounded by her family. Services will be private.

Ruby was born in Tifton, Georgia on November 10, 1925, daughter of the late Claude Andrew and Mary Evelyn (Bowman) Bradley. She graduated from Mystic High School in the 11th grade and was Salutatorian of the class and delivered the welcome address at graduation. She went on to attend South Georgia College at Douglas, Georgia majoring in Business. Her cousin, J.C. Bowman, paid her college expenses and she was forever grateful and proud that she “repaid every penny” once she started working for IBM in Macon, Georgia. She then went to work at Warner Robins Air Force Base where she met her husband, James LaValley, who was stationed there. After James was honorably discharged, they moved back to the North Country. They had five children. They are Joan (LaValley) Hatcher (Rick), of Cape May Court House, NJ, Judy (LaValley) Flynn (Richard), of Massena, NY and Stuart, Fl, James LaValley, (deceased) Massena, David LaValley (Janet) of Charlotte, NC, and Joy (LaValley) Maxwell (Charlie Pernice) of Norfolk, NY. Also surviving are her beloved grandchildren Scott Kormanyos, Lisa Baloun, Rob Baker, Mike Maxwell and Kevin Maxwell and great-grandchildren Noah Clarke Baker, Bianca Lynne Maxwell and Carson Maxwell. Also step-grandchildren and their children. She loved them all. She was predeceased by her two sisters, Hildred Hardenburg and Mildred Stripling and a brother, Albert, who died at the age of 2. She was also predeceased by a cousin who was very special to her, N. H. Layton, of Tifton, Georgia. While she was never able to go back to Georgia to visit him, she enjoyed their many phone conversations over the years reminiscing and catching up on family events.

Ruby babysat for many years and then took care of the elderly. She loved animals and she was active in the Massena Humane Society, the Salvation Army, and many churches in Massena and was a Sunday School teacher. Her love of animals knew no bounds. She advertised the cats and dogs at the animal shelter weekly on the radio and worked tirelessly to find homes for stray cats and dogs. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Massena Humane Society.

Ruby enjoyed playing bingo and skillo in her later years. She was an avid trivia player and was a frequent winner on the radio trivia contests.

At age 84, Ruby was asked if she had any regrets. She replied no, she has enjoyed life and especially her children. She could often be heard saying “I never thought I’d live this long”. She had many struggles in her life, but her children remained a priority.