From left, Ruby Stewart and Lucille Tune at Ruby's home. The pair are longtime friends reunited by staff at Synergy HomeCare.

Synergy HomeCare provides assistance in keeping 85 year old friendship together 


Lucille Tune was warmly greeted and embraced as she stepped into Ruby Stewart’s home on Wednesday.

The women live across town from one another, but disabilities prevent frequent reunions.

Lucille is 97 years old and Ruby will be 97 on Sunday. Both women are unable to drive.

Their friendship dates back to 1926 when the two met at church.

Lucille said her father was a local minister. She met Ruby at church in Turkey, where they both lived.

“Her parents were members of the church,” Lucille said. “Ruby and I became great friends.”

As years went by, Lucille said she and Ruby saw less of each other.

Lucille said she married in 1939 and moved to Lubbock.

She said she and Ruby were reunited at church once again years later.

Lucille said she believes it was in the 1970s. She said she approached Ruby at a church function after recognizing her.

“I said ‘That looks kind of like Ruby,’ ” Lucille said. “I said ‘Ruby?’ and she said ‘Yes.’ I said ‘I’m Lucille’ and we hugged and hugged each other.”

Lucille said they began having lunch together every Sunday until they both could no longer drive. She said their friendship turned into frequent phone conversations as opposed to face-to-face encounters.

Colleen Pruitt, staffing coordinator for Synergy HomeCare, a company that provides care to Medicaid beneficiaries, said Lucille eventually applied for assistance from Synergy HomeCare through the Aid & Attendance program sponsored by the Veterans Affairs office. The program assists veterans and their spouses in receiving personal care and attendant home services.

“Lucille came on as a client in August,” Pruitt said.

She said Kay Stewart, no relation to Ruby, was assigned to Lucille’s care.

Pruitt said Lucille would often talk to her caregiver about Ruby.

She said shortly after Lucille began the Aid & Attendance program, Ruby joined, too.

Pruitt said Kay Stewart and Gloria Wood, Ruby’s caregiver, met in her office one day and were talking about Lucille and Ruby.

She said they made the connection that the women were friends and began planning a reunion.

Pruitt said the two women were reunited in October after their caregivers learned of their history.

On Jan. 9, they were reunited once more.

“It’s always good to talk to Lucille,” Ruby said. “It’s lonesome for me here. I don’t see so many people.”

By ELLYSA GONZALEZ

Source: lubbockonline.com