Ruth was born on March 22, 1927 in Winnipeg, the first child of Marjorie and Archie. She attended Queenston Public School, Robert H Smith Jr High, Kelvin High School and The University of Manitoba.
She first worked as a lab technologist and later, after her family was grown, she retrained and became the secretary for the Canadian Society of Respiratory Technologists, running their head office and traveling to their annual general meetings across Canada.
Growing up Ruth loved to bike ride and skate from an early age. Her father taught her how to play tennis, a love she shared with her children. It was while playing badminton that she met her husband Robert “Bob” Clarence Simpson and with whom she enjoyed playing golf in their retirement.
Ruth volunteered in many roles in her communities and churches. She was always visiting and caring for her older family members. She included friends and neighbours for Christmas dinners if she found out they would have been alone. She was always cooking up delicious meals and baking batches of everyone’s favourite cookies and pies. She was an accomplished seamstress creating tennis wear and suit jackets and dresses. She spent many hours knitting and donating her crafts to the hospital gift store. She made many intricate knitted dolls and sewed teddy bears for many children.
Ruth and Bob retired to Water’s Edge, Saanichton, BC in 1989 and continued an active life in sports and volunteering. They loved hosting their grown family and grandchildren and old friends as well as making new friends. She was living close to her sister Lois and they loved to explore the island together. The sisters continued in a bridge group for years and also took up lawn bowling. After Bob’s death in 2010 Ruth moved into Sidney, B.C. to Norgarden.
Ruth spent her last years at James Bay AgeCare in Victoria, where she received care for dementia. She died at the age of 98. Ruth was predeceased by her infant son Mark, her husband Bob, and her sisters Helen Martin and Lois Mcelheran. She is survived by her children John, Paul (Joyce), Jane (Bill), Brian (James), Michael (Joanna), her 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Ruth will be greatly missed by many for her love of family, commitment to the community and beautiful spirit.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to James Bay AgeCare in Victoria, B.C. In place of a funeral a celebration of life will be held with family in Winnipeg at a later date.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Simpson” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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Marjorie Reimer
Ruth was a wonderful lifetime friend to my mother, Margaret (Lockerbie) Smith. One of my mom’s favorite trips was the “Ladies Luncheon” where the friends from Grade One met and reminisced. Ruth was often the organizer and one of the sharpest women in the bunch! I enjoyed visiting her when she lived just off the bike path from Swartz Bay to Victoria, and in her new digs in Saanich. She was so kind to my mom on our last visit in spite of mom’s wandering mind. Ruth was a pleasure to know, and I send my condolences to her children and many grandchildren!