Ruby L. Peabody, 86

DOVER - Ruby L. Peabody, of Dover, formerly of Claymont, died Monday, March 2, 2009, in Kent General Hospital. She was 86. Mrs. Peabody was born Feb. 22, 1923, in Ronda, N.C., to the late Adolphus and Nancy Norman Lyon. She was a graduate of Meredith College in North Carolina and a participant in the graduate studies program at Boston University's School of Social Work. She worked for the Delaware Division of Health and Social Services for 20 years, starting as a social worker and rising through the ranks to become Head Administrator for New Castle County. For the last six years she resided at Westminster Village, a retirement community in Dover. Mrs. Peabody was preceded in death by her son, Lawrence Peabody; her brother, Floyd Lyon; and two sisters, Emily Holloway and Margaret Kennedy. She is survived by three daughters, Ruth Peabody of Philadelphia, Pa., Katherine Peabody of New York, N.Y., and Amy Brennan of Middletown; five grandchildren, Geoffrey Justin Ward, Sara Battan, Elizabeth Peabody, Ryan Brennan and Tyler Brennan; her twin sister, Ruth Vehslage of Dover; and her sister, Betty Veach of Winston Salem, N.C. Memorial services will be held at Chester Bethel United Methodist Church, 2619 Foulk Rd. Wilmington, on Saturday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Delaware Humane Society or the ASPCA. Arrangements by Torbert Funeral Chapels, Dover.