LEWIS Ruby Seager 86, a resident of San Carlos since 1946, passed away quietly at home on Saturday, October 19, 2002. The El Paso,Texas, native was born Ruby Leona Benold on July 14, 1916, the sixth of eight children born to August and Minnie Benold. Mrs. Lewis graduated from Austin High School in Clint, Texas, then attended Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy, now University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP), where she was one of its first cheerleaders. She met her husband there, assistant geology professor George F. Seager, Ph.D., and they married on August 12, 1937. The pair lived in Butte Montana, where George was a professor of Geology at Montana School of Mines and their first child, Ray, was born. They lived in Washington, D.C., during World War II while George worked for the government in mineral procurement. A second son, Paul, was born while George was a geologist for Union Carbide in New York state. In 1946 the Seagers settled in San Carlos and quickly became involved in community activities. Ruby served as a Deaconess at the Community Church (now San Carlos United Church of Christ) and was active in its Junior Matrons women's group. She was involved in the PTA and was a long-time participant in the Chicken's Ball community variety shows. She was a Boy Scout supporter and a past president of the Scout Mothers. She also was a political wife, serving five times as "first lady" of San Carlos during her husband's 16 years on the City Council. At his retirement fete, Ruby earned her own enthusiastic standing ovation. She was one of eight founders of the Red-Car-Bel Auxiliary of the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County and was County Volunteer of the Year in 1970. She worked actively for many years on behalf of the Auxiliary's Family Tree Shop in San Carlos and for several years was chairman of its Fine Arts Guild, supervising creation of saleable arts and crafts. Mrs. Lewis was noted for her personal creativity and flair. When the Seagers built a home in the San Carlos hills, Ruby hand-carved its double front doors and created a terrace mosaic using stones collected on trips to the mountains. The Southwest-themed home later was featured on a Junior Matrons Homes Tour. After being widowed in 1977, Mrs. Lewis married fellow San Carlos resident Gordon F. Lewis in 1979. The pair enjoyed 23 years of travel and continued community involvement until his death on July 29, 2002. Mrs. Lewis is survived by son Ray Seager of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, his wife Susan, their three children, Marianne, David and Matthew, and great-granddaughters Dominique and Nicole. Also surviving are son Paul Seager of Morro Bay, California, daughter-in-law Thordis, grandsons Jason, Caleb and Brandon Cole, and great-grandchildren Morgan, Nathan, Amelia and Jonah. A private memorial will be held at a later date. Donations in Mrs. Lewis' memory should be directed to The American Cancer Society.

Alameda Times-Star 10/28/02.