Community Corner
Ruby Jane Connects a Community in Life, Death
She 'went Home to be with her Father in Heaven last night' wrote her mother, Ani Taylor. A celebration of her short life is Tuesday.
After Ruby Jane Taylor, the 7-month-old "little jewel" of a Rancho Santa Margarita couple, died on Thursday, dozens of people have sent messages of support to the parents through the family's blog.
Ruby, whose story captivated the local community and people across the nation, had been battling a rare liver condition called Caroli disease since her birth Jan. 5.
Her mother Ani Taylor, 26, announced Ruby had passed away Thursday night in a post on the Ani and Matt Taylor blog, Just for the Record.
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“Our sweet Ruby Jane went Home to be with her Father in Heaven last night,” Ani Taylor wrote. “We both knew that her mission in this life was completed, and it was time for her to go Home.”
A celebration of Ruby Jane's life will take place on Aug. 16, 11 a.m., at the in Rancho Santa Margarita. Interment will follow at in Lake Forest.
Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On June 29, Ruby Jane and her parents went to UCLA Medical Center for more testing. The next day it turned out Ruby needed to remain at the facility because of her deteriorating condition.
It was during that week that Patch detailed the Taylors' story in an article, .
Though there were moments of hope that a donor would be found, it never happened.
The community was wildly supportive of parents Ani and Matt Taylor and their older daughter, Kate, 3, during the ordeal.
Ruby Jane's small size made a liver donor difficult to find at first. However over the past month, according to one blog post, the UCLA Medical Center was flooded with requests to donate.
"The medical team feel like they have several viable options for donors," wrote Ani in an Aug. 9 post. "They are kindly asking that no more calls be made into the hospital for donors as it's bogging down the system."
On a Thursday at 6:15 p.m, Ani updated the blog with the message: "we have another offer. it sounds like a child. they will need to be able to split it. ruby needs to stay stable. she has had some questionable stats today, so they are watching very closely. keep the faith. keep the prayers coming. this has got to be it!!!!"
That night Ruby Jane passed away.
Since the tragic news, the Taylors have received an outpouring of condolences through their blog.
As of 8:20 p.m Friday there were 129 comments on the post.
“The night sky will shine brighter from now on (because) there is one more Beautiful Angel to light the path,” wrote someone who identified herself as Rebecca Hurst from Florida. “She will forever be in the hearts of so many. Thank you for giving us the blessings of know(ing) her story.”
Another commenter who identified herself as Sara Warren said that she did not know the family but she had heard about the situation through a friend's Facebook posts and was praying for the Taylors.
“I want to thank you for being courageous enough to share this journey with so many,” Warren said. “I think its safe to say that many of us have a better appreciation for our children and a greater desire to be a better parent thanks to the example of your family.”
Karen Noble wrote, "Ani, bless you for opening your heart to everyone! We love your sweet darling Ruby! I am forever changed by her dear life by your family's example of faith, strength, and courage!"
