August 26, 1927 - January 27, 2024
Ruth Marguerite (Guild) Kelly was born in Nova Scotia on August 26, 1927, and passed gracefully in Georgetown on January 27, 2024, with her two daughters at her side.
Ruth was predeceased by her beloved husband Charlie 41 long years ago (1982), her parents Ruby and George Guild and her brothers Earle (Betty), Don, Elmer (Diana) and sisters Gertrude (Jim) & Florine (Cam). She is survived by her daughters Susan and Sandy (Frank), grandkids Grace (Syd) and Charlie, her younger brother Ralph, sister-in-law Marg, and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Ruth graduated from nursing training in Halifax in 1949 and proudly served as a Registered Nurse in both Nova Scotia and Ontario throughout many decades. Although she retired from formal nursing to raise her two daughters, she remained dedicated to serving others through extensive volunteerism with the United Church Women (UCW), Dufferin-Peel Presbytery, and within her Georgetown community. She relished her volunteer work, especially with those she assisted through COPD exercise groups and the local seniors centre. In addition to her family and faith, Ruth loved to spend time watching the Blue Jays while doing yarn crafts or sewing and passing along her rare skill of tatting lace, which was learned in childhood from her grandmother. She shared her skills by donating countless hand-knit baby outfits to the hospital gift shop along with mittens and socks to local outreach groups and enjoyed showcasing her crafts at the Georgetown Fall Fair year after year.
Ruth’s Ewing Street ladies bonded together in the 70’s as they helped one another raise their children and forged lifetime friendships with so many cherished memories! As their father unquestionably had been during his lifetime, Ruth was proud of her daughters, with Susan’s chosen vocation as a Registered Veterinary Technician that she related to her own nursing career, and Sandy’s fierce devotion to all things family.
Being Grandma was Ruth’s favourite role as Grace and Charlie well know, as they brought so much joy to her heart. She was always there for birthdays, milestones, and activities or to just sit with them when they weren’t feeling well. Ruth’s daughters always joked that they never got so much attention as when they were sick and her triumphant nursing instinct could kick in! This was further evidenced by the devotion to her own parents in their later years.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Extendicare HH Staff for their kindness and care over the past five years.
Open visitation will be held Thursday February 1 from 6pm-8pm at Jones Funeral Home, 11582 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown, followed by a service on Friday February 2 at 11am in the Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns United Church or Georgetown Hospital.