Ruby Florence (Mortimer) Anderson

Ruby Florence Anderson passed away peacefully in Swan River, Manitoba on November 1, 2017 at the age of 89.

She was born July 10, 1928 to Horace and Arva (Murphy) Mortimer of Kenville, Manitoba in Grannie Murphy’s home in Swan River.  Her mom passed away in 1935 and her father remarried on August 19, 1936 to Frances Cotton.

Ruby will be lovingly remembered by her son Randy (Diane) Anderson of Greenville, Michigan and son Brian (Dianne) Anderson of Swan River; grandchildren Pam (Tony) Blaskis of Ada, Michigan, Shannon (Travis) VanNoy of Ada, Michigan, Brent (Shannon) Anderson of Swan River and Melissa Anderson of Swan River; great-grandchildren Courtney Thompson of Kenville, Carson VanNoy of Ada, Taryn VanNoy of Ada and Gavin Blaskis of Ada; sister Ruth (Glen) Thornley of British Columbia.

She is predeceased by her husband Robert Anderson, parents Horace and Arva Mortimer, step-mom Frances Mortimer, sister Rilla Huff, brother-in-law Ted Huff, nephew Layne Huff, brother-in-law Doug Anderson and sister-in-law Bernice Anderson.

Ruby attended school at Kenville up until grade 12, which she took in Swan  River. She then taught school in the Square Plains District (south of Swan River) for one year and then she spent one year nursing at the Essondale Hospital in Port Coquitlam, British Colombia. She returned to Kenville and on October 28, 1948 she married Robert Alexander Anderson and resided in the Shaw District south of Swan River.  She taught Sunday School for many years both in Kenville and the Shaw School District.  She was a very active member of the Kenville United Church.  She attended services for most of her life, even as a child,     joining committees and supporting the church any way she could. She was also very active and involved in many other different organizations in the Valley.  She joined the Lidstone Women’s Institute in November 1948, was the Shaw District correspondent to the Star & Times for a number of years and was an associate member of the Swan River Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 39.

Ruby loved taking care of her many cats. She enjoyed quilting and especially knitting. She occasionally would curl with her husband in the mixed bonspiels, but mostly enjoyed watching. She loved racing to her cabin at the lake for happy hour with her Glad Lake neighbors, but even more so spending as much quality time there with her grandchildren.  She also looked forward to visits from sister Rilla’s children, Layne, Gord, Kerry, Karen and Arva, and sister Ruth’s children, Arla and Kevin, whether it be at the farm or at the lake.  Doug and Bernice lived just across the road and it was nice to have them close by to be able to see their children, Maxine, Scott and Bruce, grow up.

Ruby thoroughly enjoyed people and was always very appreciative of the sincere friendships that were shown to her over the years.

“...May I live, Dear Lord, that when I die the world may be a little better for my having been there.” Arva Murphy Mortimer

TO RUBY ON HER FIFTH BIRTHDAY

By Arva Murphy Mortimer

I have a jolly little girl,

She says, “me pull of pun”;

She keeps me always laughing

And always on the run.

Her eyes are full of mischief,

Those darling eyes of blue,

And yet she loves her mum and dad,

Her little heart is true.

She buzzes like a little bee,

Her tongue is never still;

She teases sister terribly,

Yet cries when sis is ill.

We love her, oh, so very much,

This Golden Locks of ours,

She plays out in the sunshine

Among the fragrant flowers.