Ruby Florence Lamantea

Ruby Florence DiJulio Lamantea, O.C.D.S.

January 8, 1916 ~ February 9, 2018

The morning of February 9th, 2018, Ruby F. Lamantea passed away peacefully at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, WA. at 102 years of age.

Ruby was born in Black Diamond, Washington, January 8th, 1916, to Rocco Antonio DiJulio & Filomena Rossi DiJulio, both immigrants from Taranta Peligna, Italy, in the Abruzzo region. She was the youngest of six children: Nicola, Assunta, Nick, Denny & Anthony (Tony) DiJulio, all of whom preceded her in death.

In 1947, Ruby married Vincent Lamantea. He passed away in 1997 and she is survived by their only daughter, Elizabeth (Betty) Lamantea and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Ruby loved life and lived it to the fullest in her own quiet and humble way. She loved music, had a beautiful voice and would often reminisce about her days of singing in a choir. She also loved flowers and vegetable gardening, sewing, crafts, cooking, canning and extending hospitality to family, friends and neighbors. She often opened her heart and home to family, friends and neighbors helping them out by babysitting their children to allow parents some free time or the ability to hold down a job. This was usually done without pay -- out of the goodness of her heart. She was loved and people of different races and cultural backgrounds “unofficially” adopted her and called her “mom” or “aunt Ruby”, because she treated everyone like family.

She enjoyed simple pleasures and even in her infirmity later in life she did not dwell on her discomfort but rather joyfully looked ahead to upcoming events, outings to go shopping, holidays and visits from friends and family. Family ties and traditions were very important to her.

Ruby was always a woman of faith and prayer and loved God with her whole heart, as did her parents. In 1984 God gifted her with a special vocation to prayer and sacrifice and she became a Secular member of Carmelite Order within the Catholic Church. In fact, she was a founding member of a Secular Carmelite Community, Our Lady, The Mystical Rose, at St Edward’s Parish, August 26, 1984. She lived the Carmelite way of life to the best of her ability and for over 30 years went to Church (Holy Mass) daily until it was no longer possible for her to do so due to her physical limitations. She missed going to Church very much and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. Her longing was so great that up until the time of her death she would awaken early and wonder if it was time to go to Church. She  appreciated being able to watch the Mass on TV, thanks to the broadcast sponsored by EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), and didn’t want to miss it. She prayed with them and always – even in her sleep she could be heard praying.

Among the last words spoken by Ruby were, “Thank everyone for everything!”  During her last years she frequently expressed a sentiment of gratitude to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and to ALL who supported her through prayer, cards, calls, visits, good wishes and deeds and a special thanks to all who helped care for her so that she could remain in her own home up until the time of her death. Ruby will be greatly missed!

Remembrances may be made in Ruby’s name to:      Eternal Word Television Network

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                                                                                    USA