Ruth was born in Toronto, an only child to Violet and Charles Bishop. She was introduced to her eventual husband, the late Orville Stewart, and the rest was history. They were married on May 21st, 1955. Not long after, Ruth & Orville raised a beautiful family of 5 children in their one and only home on Park Home Avenue, starting with the eldest Sharon, followed by James (Jim), Kenneth, Kristine (Bryant) and Suzanne (Stewart-Sales). It was a busy household, which was made exponential with the arrival of twins. Although she characteristically didn’t relish the task of day-to-day cooking, her busy household always smelled of her wonderful baking, whether it be fresh breads, butter dream cookies or coconut cream pies (those recipes have now entered the realm of treasured heirlooms). The fruits of her love of baking were soundly enjoyed by her husband and children, and were often shared at family events in Perth, the cottage or at holiday gatherings. Ruth’s talents were not limited to fussing in the kitchen, as she also mastered skills including pottery, crocheting, petit-point and other handicrafts. It seems baffling how she found the time. Summers were spent enjoying the cottage on the lake in Innisfil, where many memories were cast and family time abound. When the children were off creating their havoc, Ruth would enjoy reading her Toronto Star or books that she picked up from a church sale or thrift store (her usual haunts); biographies were her favourite subject. She was blessed to have enjoyed travelling with family and friends to Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean and Florida. She lost her beloved Orville in 1996, but continued to live and flourish with the independent spirit she was known for.

Known as ‘Nana’ to her grandchildren, Ruth was an instrumental influence and fountain of love. She was always overjoyed and would light up when any of her grandchildren crossed her threshold, and in them her legacy will live on. She loved them all, whether near or far. In turn, her grandchildren were blessed in knowing and loving her in their own personal way, and were blessed with her into their young adulthoods. Grandchildren David, Daniel, Seth, Eve-Engelina, Ethan, Shawn, Heather, Tara and Kevin will hold her memory close to their hearts. Although Ruth had not met her two great-grandchildren, she was overjoyed at the reality of being a great-grandmother.

Some simple fond memories we will miss are the late night card games (we can still hear her say ‘Be quiet, Kenny’, as he filled the air with hilarious commentary during the games). We will miss her insistence to pay for everything or anything (characteristically stubbornly independent, as was her nature). We’ll miss watching the futility of her weeding her lawn on her knees, dirty and sweating profusely. We’ll miss her fussing with mild panic over the Thanksgiving meals she prepared for all of us at the cottage (the smells, warmth and boisterous spirit of those events will always make us smile). With a soft and vulnerable heart, Ruth was often on the receiving end of ruthless teasing and jokes from either Ken or Rob, to which she would either laugh or shake her head, always with the knowledge that those pokes came from a place of love.

Ruth never held back from telling her ‘children-in-law’ how much she loved them; she blurred the words ‘in-law,'’ and simply considered them ‘her children’. She left an indelible mark on their hearts, and a commission to love and cherish her children from this life to the next. Lynne (Jim), Allan (Kris) and Rob (Suzanne) will treasure her memory, and will honour her life by loving her children in equal, and if it were possible, greater measure.

In these latest years, Ruth’s health was challenged, and all her children stepped in to lovingly care for her. Earlier this year, the difficult decision was made to seek more appropriate care for her, and we were all blessed with finding a wonderful home at Grove Park in nearby Barrie, Ontario. There, she was peppered throughout the days with many visits from her family (and family pets), reassuring her that she continued to be a vital lifeline to the family, the Matriarch. There, though for a short stay, she was lovingly cared for by angelic caregivers, and was able to live in comfort up until the day she had to be admitted to Royal Victoria Hospital. At RVH for a period of 7 days, her family surrounded her with love, prayer and assurance with the hope of recuperation. Once again, God blessed her with compassionate and loving care through the gifted surgeons, doctors and especially the nurses. The Lord claimed her into His arms early in the morning of April 22nd in her 90th year. We are thankful that she was not alone during those last moments.

Mom will be deeply missed. Her gentleness, her humility and quiet lovingkindness will remain an example for all of us as we move on. She left this world knowing that her family was well situated, and although self-critical and in needless humility bore guilt for things that were never in her control, we believe she rests in the knowledge that she did her very best to love, nurture, provide and protect those she brought into this life, and those that they in turn brought into hers. We will hope and strive to live up to that standard ourselves. Until we meet again, mom.

As per Ruth’s wishes, there will not be a funeral or memorial service, as she will be interred at a private ceremony in the presence of her immediate family. A Celebration of Life will be planned for later this summer.