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MARY FRANCES RUTA
Born: Apr 04, 1925
Date of Passing: Aug 25, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
MARY FRANCES RUTA
Mary was a force of nature. Fiercely
independent. Selfless. Dedicated. Smart.
Loving. Caring. Thoughtful. Patient. Hopeful. Helpful. Inspirational. Faithful. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Mary is the mother of Jim (Rhonda) of
Burlington, Ontario, Tom (Martha) of
Calgary, Alberta, and Wally, (Audra) of St. Clements, Manitoba. It was Wally, with Audra, who was Mary's primary caregiver for many years and who devoted so much of his life to care for her and Dad. Mary is also
beloved Baba to Jonathan, Catherine, Abigail, Matthew, Andrea, Julii, and Carson. And great-grandmother to Sloan. She was "Auntie Mary" to Theresa Nanka and Larry Nanka. She was well loved by her many nieces and nephews, especially in the Mazur and Wicharenko families.
She was predeceased by her husband
Walter in 2013, sister Jean, and brothers, Joey, and Michael (infant).
Mary was born in Tolstoi, Manitoba April 4, 1925, the firstborn of John and Barbara Nabozniak. She went to school in Tolstoi until leaving home for grade 12 in Emerson. When rural teachers were in short supply, she was a permit teacher at Sunbeam School in
Sundown at age 17. Then, after attending
Teacher's College (Normal School) in
Winnipeg in 1945, she started her teaching
career in one room schools in Zora,
Cloverleaf, and Cooks Creek. She met Walter in Cloverleaf and they were married in 1949. Next, she and Walter moved to Winnipeg, and she taught at Aberdeen and Argyle Schools, and finally 20 years at Glenelm School,
retiring after more than 39 years in 1985. A local newspaper report at the time said, "She was a gifted teacher who inspired respect from her students. She had a special empathy for students with learning or behavioural
difficulties and to the end of her career she spoke fondly of the students she had taught."
Mom loved to travel and visited Rome, the Holy Land, Portugal, and the Panama Canal and Alaska on a cruise, among other places. Her faith and her church were so important to her and in her latter years she attended mass almost daily at Holy Eucharist
Ukrainian Catholic Church in East Kildonan. She drove her own car until she was 92. She was also a member of the UCWL for more than 50 years and was a proud member of their perogy making team, cutting the best rounds. She worked quietly and efficiently as was her style.
Her family was her life. Her boys were blessed with the best mom they could hope for. She would go without so they would not. She hoped for them. She wanted for them. She dreamed for them. She loved them. She prayed for them.
The world is a little sadder today with her loss, but heaven is a lot happier. And that is how it should be. If you pray, would you say a prayer for Mary? That really mattered to her. She used to say that she couldn't do much for us, but she could pray, and she hoped "God
listened to little old ladies". We know He does and that she is in His loving embrace today.
Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Holy
Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 505 Watt Street, Winnipeg. Pallbearers will be Wally Ruta, Tom Ruta, Jonathan Ruta, Glenn Poole, Daryl Francis, and Travis Knight. A luncheon will be held in the Parish Centre
immediately after mass. Internment will be at Glen Eden Cemetery, 4477 Main Street, West St. Paul.
Cropo Funeral Chapel is in care of the
arrangements.
A celebration of Mary's life is planned for later as COVID restrictions allow.
"Well done, good and faithful servant!...
Enter into the joy of your master!"
Matthew 25:21
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 04, 2021
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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Mrs.Ruta was one of the dearest people that ever was in my life. She was my grade 2 teacher in 73/74 at Glenelm. My fondest memories always and still think of her smiling face often. My family moved on to Alberta Oct.1977 and i will never forget all that she taught me. You are missed Mrs.R.....you will never be forgotten. My condolences to the Ruta Family. Wendy (Byman) Cooper Dec.16,2022 - Posted by: Wendy (Byman) Cooper (STUDENT) on: Dec 16, 2022
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My condolences to the family and friends of Mary Ruta. I was fortunate to have Mrs. Ruta as my teacher for grade 2 and grade 4. She was so kind and caring to all of her students. Once in class I raised my hand for a question and mistakenly said "Mom" instead of "Mrs. Ruta." I think I was embarrassed at the time, but I've smiled about that many times over the years. She made children feel safe and happy to be at school, so necessary for a good education. No doubt Mrs. Ruta has left a legacy of kindness in this world in need of kindness. I can think of no greater tribute than that. - Posted by: Sherman Reimer (Student) on: Dec 30, 2021
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To the Ruta Family, Very very sorry to hear Mary had passed away. Mary and my mother, Lena Hretzay, were very close friends. Your mother always talked with mine; she picked up my mother to take her to church and she participated in our family with her concern and her love. At Christmas time, Mary was always delightful to talk to, to exchange cards, and to get advise when my mother passed away. At church, being with her at the service, and on Sunday services, it was a delight to have her smile and express her gratitude for our being there. It was always nice to talk to Wally, her son. We have missed him over the last few years. In our memory we will always thank Mary for providing vegetable, treats, and her everlasting kindness and concern for our family. We are grateful that she was a teacher, and a teacher who gave her students, and those less fortunate, the guidance they needed for this life. Truly a great woman. We will miss Mary Ruta. The Hretzay family - Posted by: Andrew Hretzay (Family Friend) on: Sep 12, 2021
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I will always remember Mrs. Ruta as a favourite teacher, and a very loving, compassionate person. She was my Grade 2 teacher at Glenelm School (1972-73). In addition to being an exceptional instructor and patient coach to a classroom of challenging seven year-olds, she helped me and my family through a very difficult period when I returned to school after a three month hospitalization for a severe burn injury. At that time, there were few formal resources available to teachers to assist children reintegrating to school after a trauma, but she provided exceptional support to me and my family. Over the years, my mom would mention when she had met Mrs. Ruta in the grocery store, and speak fondly of what a wonderful person she was. Please accept my deepest condolences and those of my family on the passing of your mother and grandmother, and take comfort in knowing that over the course of her career, she helped countless children and families within and outside of the classroom. - Posted by: Caroline Krebs (Student) on: Sep 07, 2021
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Mrs. Ruta was my grade three teacher at Glenelm School in 1966/1967, she was my favourite teacher and was an inspiration to me. She mentored me as a teenager, kept kept in touch with me as an adult and remembered me the last time I ran into me at Safeway while shopping. My sincerest condolences to her family, she was a wonderful person and will be missed by all who knew her. - Posted by: Janie Forest (Student) on: Sep 05, 2021
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My condolences to Mrs Ruta's family. She was my teacher in the late 70s. We loved her so much, that at the end of grade 4, as a class we pooled our money to buy her a gift and have a thank-you party. She truly was a gifted teacher who inspired respect from her students. - Posted by: Christine (Student) on: Sep 04, 2021
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What a blessing she is... for sure to me. She was and always will be my favorite teacher. Every child needs an angel - a healthy adult to make them feel special. She did this for me. When she left I remember how empty I felt... I never accepted Miss Ruta leaving me. I often think about what a positive time she made for me... why even this sunny Stonewall Manitoba morning her beautiful Spirit visited my heart and mind. Just know how so special your Ina/mother was and is to a once small child in Aberdeen school. Wopida Tanka - Many thanks - Posted by: J EagleSpirit La Vallee (student) on: Sep 04, 2021
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Our condolences to you Wally and your family on the loss of you dear mother. Beautiful obituary for her. From Jill and the McWhinney family up the street. - Posted by: Jill Palmer nee McWhinney (Neighbor on Hazeldell Ave. E.K. ) on: Sep 04, 2021