Veterans’ Day Heroine – Ruby Naylor Quilts 100 Lap Robes for Vets

By Pasadena Independent

Published: Thursday, March 26th, 2009

To say Ruby Naylor is no ordinary senior citizen is a considerable understatement. Whenever this Pasadena woman puts her brainpower to a project, she gets more than 100% involved…she really puts her heart and soul into the venture.
Pasadena resident Ruby Naylor, who recently turned 81, started crocheting colorful and original lap robes shortly after Christmas 2007. The idea was to make multihued and lap robes for servicemen and women who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who are hospitalized as a result of their service. Naylor is deeply touched by the sacrifice servicemen and women make for each of us.

Naylor noted that she was perhaps “a little past her years for active service” – therefore she decided she had to do something to keep those servicemen and women warm this winter in the Veterans Administration hospitals. It’s her way of serving her county – “If we can’t help someone else, then what good are we?” Naylor asks.
As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary 280 in Pasadena for 38 years – Naylor received a few donations of wool and a check for $50 to help with her project. Longtime friends Sandra Marshall and Rose Franks also donated wool for this remarkable and ambitious undertaking. The rest of the money needed to complete these robes, Ruby paid for out of her savings.
Naylor was determined to make 100 lap robes before Thanksgiving. She did just that- in time for Veterans’ Day!
Ruby Naylor did a similar thing last year but on a slightly smaller scale, she made 25 lap robes and donated them to the VA.
It wasn’t easy, however. Each day, sometimes for more than 8 hours a day, Ruby Naylor could be found in her favorite chair with colorful spools of wool surrounding her. She’d be crocheting while on the ‘phone, in-between cooking meals and while she was watching the local news on television. Even during a brief illness, Ruby continued to press on with her passion. Basically, for nine months she lived and breathed lap robes. When she was tired or felt she couldn’t finish, she simply thought of the returning injured veterans and that was all it took to rejuvenate her spirit and resolve.
Her longtime companion, Elvin “Al” Miller takes it all in stride. When asked what he thought about Ruby’s accomplishment, Miller smiled affectionately and said “Oh, that woman. I knew she’d do it. Whatever she puts her mind to, Ruby will follow through- no matter what it takes.” Ruby’s in good company as Miller is no slouch either. He (Miller) is one of the busiest 83 year olds we’ve encountered. Whether it’s rebuilding an engine on a classic car or doing everything from rewiring antique lamps to fixing the plumbing on washing machines for friends and relatives to tuning up gas powered scooters and classic MGB’s, the former engineer Miller is in good company. Al Miller and Ruby Naylor both thrive on helping their fellow man.
Naylor’s exceptionally motivated enterprise took 300 skeins of yarn and more than nine months of basically non-stop crocheting. At around $2.60 a skein, her bill mounted quickly but that didn’t matter a hill of beans to Ruby Naylor. She really wanted to help those in need and had an absolutely passion, albeit – almost an obsession to complete this project.
The Pasadena Independent spoke with Chief of Volunteer Services, Rex Jennings, at the Long Beach VA hospital Friday afternoon. Jennings said that the robes Naylor is donating will be so gratefully received for not only the warmth they will provide veterans but the incredible amount of love and dedication Ruby Naylor undoubtedly put into each and every one of these lap robes.
“The love Ruby has shown really will make difference, it’s incredible.” Jennings said.
Rex Jennings added that the magnificent love people show for veterans goes so much farther than one would ever think. It means the world to a return veteran to know they are loved and appreciated for their unparalleled sacrifice, Jennings supposed. He added that knowing someone like Ruby Naylor spent so much of her time and effort creating these lap robes shows a kind of empathy that no veteran will or could ever forget.
The Long Beach facility sees about 8,000 patients a year and has approximately 200 beds. Jennings says there are numerous outpatients and then the more serious patient care such as Spinal Injuries and those requiring counseling for PTSD and many other acute care needs.

Jennings said they (The Long Beach facility) are getting support from the government and community. Jennings added that the facility is seeing a lot more women than ever before as patients . Jennings admits, however, that the help they provide will never really be enough…indicating an ongoing need for community involvement in the affairs of returning veterans.

Upon reflection, Ruby Naylor said the experience was “…relaxing, but I doubt I’d be able to do it again on such a large scale.” The robes will be donated to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Long Beach.
Jennings is arranging for the robes to be picked up in a few days with the help and appreciation of a veteran.

If you’d like to offer services, donate goods or cash please contact the Veterans’ Volunteer services at (562) 826-8000
Photo and Story by Terry Miller