Veteran actress and civil rights activist Ruby Dee will be honoured at a special public memorial service in New York in September (14).

The Jungle Fever star passed away on 11 June (14) at the age of 91 and now her family, friends and fans will be able to celebrate her life at the Riverside Church on 20 September (14).

The ceremony will include songs and tributes from those closest to the stage and screen icon.

Family spokeswoman Terrie Williams says, "Ruby was a (sic) extraordinary life force. People were very connected to her and to (late husband) Ozzie (sic)."

Actor Ossie Davis, who Dee wed in 1948, died in 2005.

Dee was laid to rest in a private service shortly after her death.