Ruby Druce, the oldest living person in Ireland, celebrates her 109th birthday today. Her birthday was first announced by RTÉ.
Born on New Year’s Eve in 1915 to George Crawford and Elizabeth McBride, she was the eldest of five children. Tragically, she lost two siblings to the Spanish flu. Leaving school at 14, she worked for more than four decades at Porter’s Shirt Factory in Castlefinn. Later, she left her job to care for her aging father, George, a shoemaker.
(Source: Donegal Live)
In 1956, she married her childhood sweetheart, Jim Druce, whom she had met when she was 14. George, a Scottish-born musician, spent much of his youth in Castlefinn. He passed away in 1970.
A devout Christian, she remains dedicated to prayer and the rosary. She attributed her long life to walking, hard work, and a daily cod liver oil capsule.
On 12 August 2024, following the passing of 109-year-old Phyllis Furness, she became the oldest living person in Ireland.
The featured image was taken on her 108th birthday, and sourced from Highland Radio.
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Ruby Druce on her 109th birthday.
