Laticia “Tish” Rae Ruble

Nobody else held me so tight
Or made me feel so right
No one’s eyes shined so bright with love
As my mom, who is now high above.
-Tamsen Butler
 
The world lost a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother, Laticia “Tish” Rae Hooker Ruble, on March 13, 2021. She passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family. Tish was diagnosed with ALS in July of 2020. She fought a short but courageous battle and although it stole her body it never broke her spirit.  Even when she couldn’t speak, she could still write and even though she couldn’t hug us, she never lost the ability to squeeze our hands.
Tish was born on February 26, 1947 in Scottsbluff Nebraska, to Jack Dee Hooker and Elaine Sawyer Hooker. She had one younger sister and best-friend throughout her life, Alice Elaine. The family moved a lot for their father’s jobs and eventually settled in Kearns, Utah. Tish graduated from Granger High School in 1965.
Tish was a member of Granger Community Christian Church, where she met Lyle Ray Ruble Jr. They married on July 16, 1966. Lyle’s service in US Navy took them to many amazing places. Their first daughter, Tamera Elaine was born in May of 1967 in Milton, Florida. Their second daughter, Tonya Rae was born in January of 1972 in Brunswick, Maine. The family later moved to northern California, where they owned and operated a metaphysical book store.  When Lyle’s service in the military ended, they relocated back to Utah in 1975.
The family built their home in Granger, now West Valley City, Utah. The couple later divorced but remained amazing co-parents. Tish worked at the University of Utah as the supervisor of the mailing bureau. She attended classes at the university but as a single parent, she was unable to finish her degree. She later obtained her associates degree in business through Columbia College, being the oldest student in her program. She retired from American Express in 2016, after 20-years of service. Retirement didn’t suite her and she went back to work for Progrexion in 2018, where she remained until the pandemic, a mere four months before her ALS diagnosis. Her incredible work ethic and love for learning was passed to her children.
Tish had a love of horses, which she instilled in her daughters. She led an equestrian 4-H group “The Rusty Spurs”. She never missed a horse show for any of the kids in her club. Her outstanding leadership and love of children led her being co-owner and director of Karousel  Kottage Daycare and Preschool, in West Valley City.
Tish always took in strays, whether they be two or four legged. She was “mom”, “aunt”, or “grandma” depending on who’s friend they were. She devoted her life to her family and was the biggest and loudest cheerleader, often embarrassing them. She never missed a performance or sporting event, or birthday of any of her children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren. She attended nearly every birth of them all, including driving to Las Vegas to be by the side of her niece, Mandy Lane, who she thought of as a daughter, for the birth of her great-nephew, Ahmad Donaldson.
Tish was so important to her family that during the pandemic and her illness, the family decided to homeschool the children so they could keep her safe and spend every moment with her that she had left. She had a full and storied life and loved as hard and as much as she was loved.
Tish was survived by her two daughters; Tamera Elaine Ruble Gibson (Danon) and Tonya Rae Ruble Kinder; her sister, Alice Elaine Hooker Courtney (Ron); Niece, Mandy Lane Fender Donaldson (Jamal Carter); Great-nephew, Ahmad Ali Donaldson; Grandchildren, Jordan Matthew Grymes (Brittany), Lauren Gabrielle Bolton, Aaron Baily Gibson (Skyler), Jak Terry Kinder, Owen Patrick Gibson; and great-grandchildren, Ryder (9), Bennett (9), Elaina (7), Grayson (6), Aria (5), Emberly (2), Andalyn (2), Kinsley (6-months); and her ninth great-grandchild is due in May.
Tish was preceded in death by her father and mother, Jack and Elaine Hooker; brother in-law, Darryl Fender; and son-in-law, Jeffrey Austin Kinder.
 
A celebration of Tish’s life is planned for April 11, 2021 at 7PM at the Meadow Brook Golf Course Café.
4197 South 1300 West, Taylorsville UT, 84123. A balloon launch will proceed the memorial and a light buffet will be served.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the ALS Foundation http://webco.alsa.org/site/PageNavigator/CO_7_donate.html
Service Information

Celebration of Life
April 11, 2021 at 7:00 PM
The Meadow Brook Golf Course Café, 4197 South 1300 West, Taylorsville UT, 84123