RUBY W. ROE

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RUBY W. ROE At first light on the Summer Solstice, June 21, 2009, Ruby W. Roe (nee Kolstad) passed away quietly in Stonewall, Manitoba, at 82 years of age. She was well loved as a Mother, Granny, Aunt, Educator, Community Builder and Friend. She is survived by her children Timothy (Joan) Roe and Janet Kinley, granddaughter Kathryn Kinley, siblings Delores Ulrich, Caroline Hunter and Edward Kolstad, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was recently predeceased by son-in-law Douglas Kinley and over the years lost siblings Ada, Leonard, Clifford and Ken. From humble beginnings on a small farm in the deep Assiniboine Valley near Togo, Saskatchewan, she began her lifelong passion for learning and launched her career as an educator. At age 19 she began teaching Grades One to Eight in a one-room school what she called the original open area teaching concept . Over the next 40 years, in and around marriage, children and running a hotel, she taught for 26 years at various locations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The last 13 years of her career were spent teaching Grade Two in Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba. She was deeply committed to helping her students learn, particularly those who had difficulties. Her caring was returned by her students. It was not uncommon for her to be approached by former students to tell her what a difference she had made for them. After retirement she settled in Stonewall, Manitoba in 1988 and embarked on her second career , that of community builder and volunteer. She was part of a visioning round table, supported the Stonewall United Church, volunteered for 20 years with the elderly at Rosewood Lodge and for 18 years with a mentally challenged young woman in a group home. Her greatest volunteer passion, however, was reserved for REACT, an environmental organization she helped initiate in 1991. REACT took on a range of projects, from recycling to preserving a patch of tallgrass prairie in the Town of Stonewall. Her hard work and determination helped to make it happen. In her honour, in fall 2008, the Town named the prairie the Ruby Roe Tallgrass Prairie. She was thrilled. For her children and granddaughter, Mom/Granny was a steadfast supporter. Without a doubt, we knew we were loved. This also encompassed a large extended family of seven brothers and sisters and their families and many cherished friends. Above all, Mom showed us her humanity; how to make a difference in people's lives through quiet, day-to-day acts of kindness and caring. Now, it is Mom's turn to rest. Her work will carry on through us and many others. We have lots to measure up to. A Service of Remembrance will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, 433 Main Street, Stonewall, Manitoba. Interment will take place at a later date at Roblin Cemetery, Roblin, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, Ruby preferred that donations be made to REACT Inc., Box 1071, Stonewall, Manitoba R3C 2Z0. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 24, 2009