ANNA RUTH HILLAND

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ANNA RUTH HILLAND

Ruth Hilland, nee Anna Ruth Lindal, born June 20, 1925, in Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2024.

She is survived by three sons, Douglas (Teresa), John, both of Calgary, and Bruce (Nancy) living in Surrey, England, and five cherished grandchildren, James (Tenchoe), Stuart (Priscila), Lauren (Sebastian), Jack and Taylor (Michael). She was predeceased by her husband, Douglas W. Hilland in January 2005; by her father, Judge W. J. Lindal; her mother, Jorunn “Jo” Lindal; her stepmother, Gwen Magnusson Lindal; and her sister, Elizabeth Brown.

Ruth married in 1949, a year before her husband graduated in Law, following overseas services in the RCAF. They moved to Edmonton, Alberta lured by the oil business and were transferred to Trinidad by Chevron Oil Company where they resided for four years. On their return, Doug received his Call to the Bar in Alberta, and they took up permanent residence in Calgary.

Ruth attended Laura Secord Elementary School, Gordon Bell High School, in Winnipeg; United College (BA) now University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba (Diploma in Social Work) and later, in 1974, University of Calgary (Master in Social Work). She practised social work in Winnipeg at the Family Bureau, in Edmonton at the Colonel Mewburn Hospital (DVA) and in Calgary at Mental Health Services. She served on the executive of the Southern branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, on the City of Calgary Charities Committee, and for 10 years on the Executive of the Calgary Women’s Literary Club.

Ruth was an honorary member of the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary and took great pleasure in preserving the Icelandic heritage of her parents, visiting Iceland, and baking “vineterta” Icelandic Christmas cake, every year, for family and friends.

She marvelled at email and was on her computer daily, delighted to be able to keep up with countless friends so effortlessly and keep in touch with world events. She completed her 20-page illustrated auto biography at the age of 92. Ruth was passionately fond of her “camp” at Kenora, Ontario which she visited every summer. She also enjoyed time in Canmore, Alberta in their cedar “Lindal” home all year round. She moved to “Amica Aspen Woods” (now Verve) in Calgary during January 2017, a seniors’ residence for independent living. Ruth enjoyed the socializing, the many activities and the wonderful care provided there.

A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at a later date. She will be dearly missed by us all!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2024, Oct 19, 2024