Dee died peacefully Wednesday at her New Rochelle, New York, home, according to her representative, Michael Livingston.
Dee, often with her late husband, Ossie Davis, was a formidable force in both the performing arts community and the civil rights movement. The couple were master and mistress of ceremonies at the 1963 March on Washingon, and she was friends with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Dee received the Frederick Douglass Award in 1970 from the New York Urban League.
As an actress, her film credits included "The Jackie Robinson Story" (1950), "A Raisin in the Sun" (1961), "Buck and the Preacher" (1972), "Do the Right Thing" (1989) and "American Gangster" (2007).
Dee earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in "Gangster." She won an Emmy and Grammy for other work.
I need to read their joint memoir “With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together” since I have recently learned that Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis were at one time in an open marriage. This quote I take to heart:
"But, we both came to realize that we were very fortunate that, in all of the deep profound, fundamental ways, we really, really only wanted each other. It was like a rediscovery of something from the beginning. It's not something that you'd recommend to everybody. But often Ossie has said - and I've though too - the best way to have somebody is to let it go. If it doesn't come back you are free in another kind of sense - in that you find the strength to let go and wish somebody well. So, we thought an open marriage was appropriate for us but it turned out not to be. But then that's what we're all about, we are moving from one position to another in the process of trying to unravel this thing call life."As I try to figure out and unravel my life I appreciate their talent, their wisdom and the gift of love they shared with the world. Ruby can now be joined with her love and we are left here on earth to make the best of the time we have with our loved ones.
-KD
