Sunday, March 26, 2023
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My Dear Friend Ruth,
Saying goodbye, is never easy and when I got the call today that you had past, I cried. A flood of memories of you came pouring in. Goodbye, to you, my dearest friend. You will truly be missed. I will miss being able to pick up the phone and talk to you, who will I be able to tell my secrets to now??? I can honestly say I thought you would live forever, as I have never seen anyone so full of life and energy as you, all 5 feet 1 inch of you. My nick name for you was "the whirling dervish", as you moved through life at break neck speed, having to do everything as fast as you could...lol...no one could keep up with you, my friend.
We met, when I had just started working at McPhillips Street Station Casino, in 2000. It was friendship right from the get go, we just clicked...and when that happens...well...you just have to become friends...
To me you were the older and wiser sister I never had. I was raising my son alone. You always offered such sound advice from someone who had been there, done that. You have no idea how much your advice helped me get through those difficult single mom days...and for that I will always be grateful.
Our adventures were numerous...from cleaning leaves at the cabin to heading out to the casinos. One time at the cabin, I could not find you anywhere in the yard, and I was calling out for you, you called back, only, you were not anywhere to be found on the ground in the yard...nope, not you...you were up high on the roof telling me the gutters needed cleaning out...who at 78 years of age, climbs on the roof, let alone cleans out the gutters???? Only you my friend, only you!!! LOL.
You were also up to date on what was happening in the world, and I remember one time you told me you got up at 6 a.m. to watch Lady Gaga...you were 80 years old. You never ever looked your age or acted it, always looking at least twenty years younger than your actual age. You were always up for an adventure...always young at heart, with a sharp mind and excelled at math...you said you were not one of those "old people". This comment always made me chuckle because you definitely were not!!
Our adventures also included walking every day at Kildonan Park, which we did for about a year, we started walking a mile a day and you ran circles around me...lol. Seriously, who could keep up with the whirling dervish named Ruth. I miss those days when we would walk and talk, and we would walk and talk about everything. The mile flew by and we always felt so good after our walk.
I loved when we went Value Village shopping, it was fun and we never knew what kinds of treasures we would find and we sure found treasures. Although, I must admit, I wish I never collected so many tins, as no one needs 120 boxes of tins...lol.
I will miss your warmth, sense of humour, honesty, all your interesting life stories, which you told so often, I could repeat by heart, but cherish just the same, our late-night talks and most of all, your warm friendship.
You worked hard all your life my dear friend, and your love and pride of your family, your children Linda, Terry, Allen and Darrin shone through whenever you talked about them, which was often. I wonder if they know just how much you really love them...well, Ruth's kids I am telling you now, she loved each and every one of you with her entire being and defended you with the fierce strength that only a mother's love could.
You loved gardening and always had such beautiful flower gardens. Your favorite flower is the pansy...because you said they always had such cute faces and each one was so different. This year when I plant my pansies, I will do so in memory of you, and when I look at them, I will smile remembering just how your face lit up as you admired them.
You were an amazing cook and always cooked everything from scratch, including your baking, to appease your "sweet tooth" and were so insistent that you made it better than any restaurant ever could, how could I argue...
I am so sorry I had to move away and have missed you so much.
Take your rest now my dear friend, and know, I will hold your memory in my heart forever because a good friend like you only comes along once in a life time. I am very honored to call you, my friend.
My thoughts and condolences go out to your family, Ruth, they were lucky to have you. Ron cherish her memory and I hope it brings you peace through this sad time. She always said it was that darn car and teaching you to drive that was the catalyst in bringing the two of you together...she was a special, one of a kind, that Ruth of ours, and she will be missed.
With love, Your friend always,
Barb
Ps. Can you give my dad a hug for Nick and I up there in heaven...I will see you one day.
