in registering visitors from all \ over the country

in registering visitors from all \ over the country and the world ; with the success of The Inn at ; Little Washington, whose own- ; ers included the museum on its i itinerary for guests, though oth- \ <

ers would say it was Ruby’s | !

museum that brought many to ! ! Washington. And, with a special ! ! sparkle in her eye, she would J i tell you about the special gifts \ * left by museum visitors in the lit- | tie wicker basket by the exit j door, the source, along with her { own personal funds, for meeting ; the costs of keeping the muse- I um doors open. !

Ruby loved Washington, ! Rappahannock and Virginia,* probably in that order. j

She loved her sister Mary, ; with whom she shared a life- • time. She liked curly Magnolia } leaves, boxwood, any flower with J a white blossom, the vista of the j mountains outside her window, \ and cherry tomatoes. She dis- | liked shirkers afraid of hard work, self praise, anyone in town with a personal agenda, and hearing her home town referred to as Little Washington. She much preferred First Washington, as in the name of her museum, if, she thought, anyone could possibly confuse" such a special place with any of the other 27 towns and 31 courv ties named Washington.

Ruby V. Jenkins of, Washington passed away. o

There was - and is - so mucfT more to say.

Yet, no matter how much you' say, the spirit of this special person remains elusive, like a butterfly that cannot be caught in! your net.

So, a few weeks from now, as spring once again bursts forth in the hills and hollows, the streets of Washington, the’ square at the Courthouse, and all over Rappahannock with the' whites and pinks of thousands of dogwood blossoms, remem-, ber, and say a quiet “thank you,. Ruby." And, if the doors to the j First Washington's Museum are, opened again, go visit your Rappahannock heritage, remember, and put something extra in the little wicker basket by the door when you leave.

Friends of Ruby Jenkins'

Washington, Vs.