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RUTH BREDIN Obituary pic

RUTH BREDIN

Born: Jan 26, 1920

Date of Passing: Apr 03, 2015

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RUTH BREDIN Ruth passed away April 3, 2015, aged 95, at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, after a brief illness. A life-long resident of Winnipeg, Ruth and her twin brother Douglas were born on January 26, 1920 to Alice (Molly) and Harold Cawker. The only girl among six brothers, Ruth spent her childhood on College St. in St. James. The family moved to Dundurn Place in Wolseley in her youth, where Ruth attended Laura Secord School and Gordon Bell. She later went on to study sciences at United College (University of Winnipeg). During the final year of the Second World War, Ruth lived in Washington, D.C. where she worked for the British Admiralty. Ruth also worked at the Winnipeg Community Chest and Great West Life. Ruth married fellow Winnipegger Thomas Bredin at Caxton Hall Registry, London, in June 30, 1952. Together they travelled in Britain, Germany, Austria and France before returning to Winnipeg, where Tom took up a position at St. John's-Ravenscourt School. Ruth and Tom raised their four children in Wildwood Park, and Ruth lived there for 57 years until she sold her house in late 2014. The family also spent many happy summers at a cottage on Sandy Bay, Lake Winnipeg. After two decades of full-time motherhood, Ruth went back to work at Fisher Scientific and then as a researcher in the Department of Epidemiology at the Health Sciences Centre. Ruth also worked as Returning Officer for Elections Canada in several federal elections. Ruth was an active volunteer and devoted supporter of the arts throughout her life. She was an executive member and president of the Women's Musical Club, a volunteer at Victoria General Hospital and for the Alumni Association of the University of Winnipeg, tracing and contacting "lost grads". She supported the Winnipeg Art Gallery, where she was a member of the Art Study Group for more than fifteen years. Ruth was a long-time season ticket holder with many musical and theatrical groups in the city, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra, Virtuosi concert series, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Prairie Theatre Exchange. Ruth has been a member of the congregation at Westminster United Church since she first attended as a young girl in the 1930s. After she retired, Ruth travelled extensively in Europe and the US. She and a group of Winnipeg women piloted their rented boat through English canals one summer and Ruth joined art tours and theatre trips to major cities on the continent and across North America. She enjoyed playing bridge and golfing and she created many beautiful pieces of embroidery over the years. Her Sunday dinners, delicious pies, crab apple jelly and Christmas baking are very fondly remembered by her family. Ruth Bredin is survived by her four children and their families; John Bredin and Eleanor Antoine (Christine), Kate Bredin and Richard Elliot (Duncan, Margot and Malcolm), Mark and Tammy Bredin (Dana, Kira, Serena, Andrew and Claire), and Marian Bredin and Mark Adams (Fiona), by her brother Bob Cawker (Surrey, BC), her brother and sister-in-law Glen and Jody Cawker (Burlington, ON), her sisters-in-law Donna Cawker (Winnipeg) and Marvel Miller (Calgary). Ruth is also survived by her many nieces and nephews in Canada, the US, France and the UK. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Tom and her brothers Douglas, Hugh, Edgar and Harold (Pip) Cawker. In recent years Ruth frequently reminded us of how lucky she was to have enjoyed such a long, rich and healthy life. She was a warm and engaging person with a wonderful sense of humour, we are so fortunate to have shared her journey and will miss her dearly. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ruth's memory to the Winnipeg arts organization of your choice. Ruth's family would like to thank the nursing staff at Victoria General Hospital Unit 3, Dr. Rizk, Dr. Ritchie and Dr. Ong for their dedicated and compassionate care of Ruth during her final months. Join us in a celebration of Ruth's life. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday April 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., Westminster United Church, 745 Westminster Ave., Winnipeg, with a reception to follow in the Church Hall.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 07, 2015

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

  • Ruth was a fixture in the Shearer family, having grown up with Bertie, Mary and our dad, David. Many gatherings and events were enlivenened by Ruth's cheerful and engaging chats. Our mother Betty loved Ruth's visits and always said she was family. Ruth's long, happy and busy life was a gift to all who knew her. - Catherine, Jim, Doug and Betty Shearer - Posted by: Catherine Shearer (friend) on: Apr 27, 2015

  • Great lady, who I wish I had a chance to have spent more time with. Always made me feel like part of the family. My condolences to Christine and the rest of her family. - Posted by: Jason Nic () on: Apr 25, 2015

  • I knew Ruth through her dear friend Doreen McCormick. I would see them often when they were searching for lost grads because I worked at the U.of W. Together they were truly a delight to encounter. Bright, well-informed, positive women both, they never failed to provide some interesting insight or delightful observance. - Posted by: Diane Keating (friend) on: Apr 13, 2015

  • A grand woman with a true zest for life. No doubt she and Bertie are re-united now. - Posted by: Bob Kelly and April Young (Friends) on: Apr 13, 2015

  • Unfortunately for us we only saw Aunty Ruth when she made her way out to B.C. to visit with Dad (Bob) and Mom (Millie), what a pleasure to be around. Like Grandma Molly she had very little grey hair when we last visited her in 2001 during the 9/11 crisis. We were on our way to visit Mount Rushmore and other places but wanted to visit the "family" during our brief stay. Aunty Ruth was the only one who it was convenient to visit and we spent a couple of hours. Aunty Ruth was such an attractive person not only in the physical sense but also in the spiritual and intelligent sense, one could learn so much just spending a few hours in her company, and like us, would want to spend more time with such a warm wonderful person. We see so much of Aunty Ruth's charm and grace in her nieces, Barbara and Ruth (how fitting), and it seems to us maybe even a gene or two has been passed to our two daughters Randi and Allison. We will miss the great qualities Aunty Ruth expressed and leave within our memories. To those left behind, rejoice in her life and treasure the wonderful memories she has left in her wake. God Bless all of you. - Posted by: Kenn (and Sunny) Cawker (Nephew of Ruth ) on: Apr 08, 2015

  • All our best wishes to the Bredin family. Ruth was a warm, loyal, intelligent and thoughtful person and lived a long and full life. She was an example to all. Ruth was a true friend to our mother, Evelyn Ramsay, something our entire family is thankful for. She enriched Mom's life by her friendship and interest in the Winnipeg theatre and symphony. As stated by David Kilgour, The influence of her husband Tom and her long friendship defined our family's thankfulness for the experience and education we received at SJR. We were very fortunate indeed. - Posted by: Robert C Ramsay MD (friend) on: Apr 07, 2015

  • Many fond memories of Mrs. Bredin starting with grade five at SJR back in the late 1950's. I was fortunate to reconnect by way of her love of the MCO and will forever remember her gentle and kind spirit. Condolences to her family and friends. - Posted by: Dan Donahue (aquaintance ) on: Apr 07, 2015

  • Dearest Mark and family, Les and I want to send you our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. What a wonderful tribute; it was a pleasure to read about her amazing life and her loving connections with all of you. We hope these warm memories will help sustain you as you grieve her loss. Sending you healing hugs. With love, Les and Roberta - Posted by: Roberta Mitchell (former colleague of Mark's) on: Apr 07, 2015

  • Sending my condolences to the Bredin Family. I met Ruth as a child when I also used the same cabin at Sandy Bay (my grandmother's). Geoff Burman is my father and since he has passed away I felt I would comment on his behalf as he was very fond of Ruth and Tom. Your mother lived a long and wonderful life and you have been blessed to have her in your lives for so long! Best regards Brenda (Burman) Backe - Posted by: Brenda Backe () on: Apr 07, 2015

  • Thinking back a long way (the 1950s), Mrs Bredin seemed to be present at many SJR events important to her husband and his students, including hockey games. She had an encouraging word for all of us. What a wonderful team she and 'Mr Bredin' made. - Posted by: David Kilgour (Student at SJR and admirer of Ruth and Tom Bredin.) on: Apr 07, 2015

  • My sincere condolences to all of Ruth's family. My mother, Margie Brown (a bridge partner) aften spoke highly of Ruth, and my paths crossed with Ruth at some of my Mum's bridge/social events with her. I had recently run into Ruth at Riverwood Square just after she moved in, and had an opportunity once again to speak with her. What a pleasure to chat with a charming lady. - Posted by: Lynne Ransby (Margie Brown's daughter) on: Apr 07, 2015

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