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RUTH GLORIA MATAS
Born: Jan 08, 1925
Date of Passing: Nov 30, 2020
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RUTH GLORIA MATAS
Ruth, or Ruthie, as she was fondly called, was predeceased by her parents, Fanny and Sam Churchill and her younger brother Gordon. Her husband, Roy Matas, predeceased her in 1986, and she cherished his beloved memory for the rest of her life. Ruth is survived by her children: Susan (Robert), Carol (Per) and John (Stephanie); grandchildren: Rebecca (Loc), Michael (Savitri), Mark (Theo), Sam (Bonnie), Jesse (Addie), Eli (Jordan); great-grandchildren: Zevi, Naomi, Judah, Ezra, Maya, Elijah, Kai, Alyssa, Theodore, Meira, Ethan, Emanuele, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ruth attended St. John's High School and then University of Manitoba where she earned a degree in English Literature. She married Roy in 1946. They raised their family on Cordova Street in River Heights. She and Roy never missed a hockey game or a dance recital and she happily drove her children and all of their friends to their many activities. Ruth was an active volunteer and was especially dedicated to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Liberal Party of Canada, and the Technion in Israel. She was the ultimate hostess, happiest with family and friends gathered around in their Cordova and then their Bower Boulevard homes. She loved in no special order: strong coffee, the Liberal Party, watching hockey and curling, politics, C-PAC, Question Period, Sunday New York Times, Louis Armstrong, Broadway shows, exercising at the Rady JCC (which she did three times a week until she reached 90), Israel, travel, fresh squeezed orange juice, baking, ballet, the cottage at Falcon Lake, entertaining, but most of all her family. She had the knack of making everyone feel special and loved, and she had a special place in her heart for every single grandchild and great-grandchild.
The family would like to thank the Simkin Centre, especially the staff of Weinberg 1; her companions, Marian and Maria; Rabbi Matthew Leibl and the staff of the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, Chesed Shel Emes and the volunteer pallbearers.
Donations in her honour can be made to The Royal Winnipeg Ballet - www.rwb.org, The Technion - www.technioncanada.org, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg www.jewishwinnipeg.org or the Simkin Centre at www.simkincentre.ca
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 05, 2020
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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My thoughts and prayers are with Carol Matas and her extended family in loving memory of Mrs. Matas. - Posted by: Philip () on: Jan 15, 2022
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I am fondly thinking of my former fellow students Bonnie and Jenna from Grant Park High School. - Posted by: Philip (--) on: Jan 03, 2022
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Hi Carol and Family: I am very sorry to hear of the loss of you Mum. When I worked for her, she was always very kind to me. She was a very classy Lady. She would never take anything for nothing. I remember one day she was ready to go for her exercise and was getting ready to call a cab. My husband had come to pick me. He told your Mum he would take her to her exercise class. She accepted but was determined to pay him. My husband was more determined and refused to accept payment. She loved her little dog Tiny and was very distraught when he passed on. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. - Posted by: Colleen Souce (Friend. Worked periodically for Ruth.) on: Apr 20, 2021
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My memory of Ruth Matas revolves around the occasional visit to the Matas’ Cordova Street home, and winters in Palm Springs. We were on the same flight a couple of times, and conversing with her was so interesting that the 4-hour flight felt like 5 minutes. And I was always impressed with Ruth Matas when I would see her in the desert doing her daily walk with such vigor. My deepest sympathy to the family. Ms Frankie Glickman Victoria BC - Posted by: Ms Frankie Glickman (Carol and Per’s friend) on: Dec 05, 2020
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I was sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing . I was immediately reminded of many days on Cordova street with cold weather and your Mom leaving the car running waiting for us all to get moving in the morning and then driving us where ever we needed to go. A life well lived and many fond memories. Brian McArthur - Posted by: Brian McArthur (Friend) on: Dec 05, 2020