Ruby Gillis was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gillis, sister of Susan and several Gillis girls and the friend of Anne Shirley. Ruby was born in 1865 in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, to Mr. and Mrs. Gillis. She was raised there along with her sister Susan and several older sisters. Jane Andrews became Ruby's best friend. Ruby attended Avonlea school in September 1871 along with her best friend Jane, Diana Barry and Josie Pye. Her writing apparently had too much love-making in them, according to Anne.