[1][2] Ida Fanny Gass was born in Washington on January 7, 1929, and married Leonard Ruben (died 2007) in 1948.

[3] Ruben was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1974, filling a seat that had been vacated by her husband, who was appointed to a judgeship.

[3][4] She became a state senator in 1987 and served in the chamber for 20 years, rising to the position of president pro tem before losing her seat to Jamie Raskin in the 2006 election.

[2] During her time in office, she helped pass laws to protect victims of domestic violence, and to enforce child support payments.

[5] Following this, Governor Wes Moore ordered state flags to fly at half-staff in Ruben's honor.