On November 8, 1919, in the quiet village of Gibraltar, East Coast Berbice, Corentyne, a remarkable life began. Ruby Maria Mingo was born into a world of simplicity and challenge, surrounded by sugar estates and the hardworking people of British Guiana.
From an early age, “Ms Ruby” as she is fondly called, exhibited a quiet strength and resilience that would shape not only her journey but also the lives of her children, grandchildren, and generations yet to come. Today, she resides in Haslington, East Coast Demerara, a living testament to endurance and grace.
Ruby married the love of her life, Wilbert Mingo, on December 29, 1943, sharing 46 years of unwavering partnership until his passing in August 1986. Together, they raised eleven children, eight of whom are still with us today. Ruby’s family expanded to include twenty grandchildren—two of whom she lovingly raised as her own—and eight great-grandchildren. Her greatest pride comes from seeing her children thrive and remain devoted to one another, a reflection of the values she instilled.
Life as the wife of a police officer demanded flexibility and courage, uprooting and replanting her family wherever duty called. Yet Ruby embraced every challenge. She became a devoted Adventist, a dedicated home gardener, and a skilled homemaker who supplemented her family’s income, ensuring stability and securing their own home. Her adaptability and hard work exemplify a life lived with purpose.
Ruby spent 25 years in Canada before returning to Guyana in 2015, carrying with her a lifetime of experiences and memories from both near and far.
Her life spans extraordinary historical moments. Born into colonial British Guiana, she witnessed the rise of trade unions, the struggles for workers’ rights, and the formation of the country’s first mass-based political party- the People’s Progressive Party in 1950. She experienced the first elections under universal suffrage in 1953, the pride of Guyana’s independence in 1966, and the nation becoming a republic in 1970. She has seen the nation face economic, ethnic and political challenges, as well as moments of promise, including the discovery of offshore oil reserves in 2015. Through it all, her spirit remained unshaken.
For her 106th birthday, Ruby was honoured by family, friends, and visitors from near and far, including leaders from We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). These celebrations were more than a birthday—they were a recognition of a life that bridges generations, a life that embodies resilience, endurance, and hope.
Ms. Ruby is not merely a witness to history—she lives it. Her story reminds us that while the world may change, courage, love, and perseverance endure.
