Ruby (Bennett) Maitoza

Ruby Bennett Maitoza passed peacefully with family present at her home in Watsonville, at the age of 90.

Born in Sacramento to parents, Carl and Grace Bennett. Ruby and her family moved 18 times between Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon, before she settled in Watsonville where she graduated from Watsonville High School in 1949. She received her Associates degree in Fine Arts from Hartnell College two years later in 1951.

Ruby met the love of her life Harvey Maitoza in 1957 and the two were married for over 50 years. They were both in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for many years and were also part of the Hub Club trailer club. They enjoyed traveling and making new connections in the farming community.

Ruby had an intense love of animals, which included dogs, cats, ducks, geese and other birds she had throughout the years. She had a very compassionate, as well as creative personality. Her skills ranged from her mastery of painting, to making her own stained glass creations. Ruby enjoyed frequent trips yearly to her ranch house in Beulah, Colorado where her family had been ranching their centennial property for more than 125 years. She enjoyed reconnecting with friends and family from her younger years while in Colorado. Her grandfather ran cattle, and had a successful country grocery store in Beulah, Colorado. Harvey and Ruby were also very well known in the farming community in Watsonville where Harvey grew olallieberries, raspberries and apples. Her inquisitive nature and compassion for all living things lead her to be a warm and passionate person that will be truly missed by those who knew her in life.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Harvey of Watsonville; beloved brother Dr. Roger Ericson, and wife Muriel of Pebble Beach. She is survived by her children, April Barclay and husband Alan of Aptos; Michelle Nadoliski and husband Ed of Watsonville; her grandchildren Colin Kelley of Santa Cruz; Jonathan Barclay of Santa Cruz; Adam Kelley and wife Amanda of Corralitos; her great-grandson Emmett Kelley; and her rambunctious and loyal dog Sophie.

Mehl's Colonial Chapel was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Published in The Pajaronian · May 14, 2021