RUBY ELSIE INGRAM

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RUBY ELSIE INGRAM

(nee HOSKI)

August 1, 1934 - October 3, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, aunt, and dear friend, Ruby Ingram, on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the age of 91, following a brief illness caused by the shingles virus.

Ruby is lovingly remembered by her son Rod Ingram (Andres); her niece Shelley Hopper (Dwayne) and their family Lauren (Delan) and family, and Lindsey (Morgan); her nephew Mark Hungerford (Martha) and Carley Hungerford; as well as her cherished cousins May and Eddie Hamilton, Meghan and Shawn Kehoe and family, Dana and Shane Potocnik and family; and Craig and Sue Hamilton and family. She also leaves behind many dear relatives in Winnipeg and Oakville, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Australia.

She was predeceased by her husband Richard Ingram; her parents Nicholas and Pauline Hoski; sisters-in-law Joan Ingram (Elaine James), Doreen (Orv) Thomas, and Diane Hungerford; and her nephew Bob Thomas.

Ruby was blessed with special “adopted” sons Geoff, Erwin, and Sheldon, who held a special place in her heart for so many years. She was also deeply grateful for the love and friendship of her wonderful neighbors and friends – Greg and Ramona, Igor and Irina, her dearest and closest friend Lesley, Corey and Greg, Mike, Trevor and Jun, Shay, Patrick, and Anne.

Ruby will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, and spirited outlook on life — including cooking enough food for an army and always encouraging everyone to go up for seconds. She had an incredible ability to form lifelong connections, especially through sports, and made everyone around her feel valued and loved. She was predeceased by her closest lifelong friends Norma and Helen, who grew up with her in the North End and played softball by her side.

Ruby was born in Winnipeg, before the family moved to Bissett, Manitoba, where she lived for the first seven years of her life. She later moved briefly to Ontario, then returned to Winnipeg, where she spent the next 21 years. She was a proud resident of the Point Douglas neighborhood and never forgot her roots, fondly telling stories of growing up in the North End and attending St. John’s High School along with many other famous North Enders.

To say Ruby excelled at sports is an understatement. She played softball, basketball, hockey, bowling, and curling — with softball being her greatest passion. Her love of the game began at age 13, when she played in the commercial league with WECO in the Senior B League. She then joined the Elmwood Pats for five years, earning league MVP in her rookie season and collecting three MVP awards in total. Ruby later played with the CUAC Blues for three years, helping the team win the first Women’s Western Canadian Softball Championship for Manitoba in 1957. In 2005, she was inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame with her CUAC Blues Senior Women’s team. She finished her ball career with the CPAC Falconettes, earning league co-MVP in 1962. When softball season ended, Ruby shifted her focus to the basketball courts, where she won numerous city championships with her church league team.

Once her sporting career was over, she then focused her life on being the most amazing mother and wife to her family. She married Richard Ingram in 1963, and they moved briefly to Keyport, New Jersey, before returning to Winnipeg, where they settled for the rest of their lives.

Their son, Rodney, was born in 1968, and together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and lifelong friendships. Summer vacations at Clear Lake were the highlight of the year — filled with family, friends, and wonderful memories that Ruby cherished for a lifetime.

Ruby worked in several fields but found her calling as a comptroller, teaching herself accounting and becoming a natural with numbers. Her last employer, Goldin & Co., she worked at for 30 years, eventually retiring at 75 — though she continued working another 10 years, until age 85, when the COVID pandemic brought her long and successful career to a close.

Ruby was a loving, caring, and deeply respected woman with countless wonderful traits and talents. She was the most honest person around, and told you like it is, whether you liked it or not. She loved to cook traditional Ukrainian dishes for family and friends — especially her sweets and Christmas treats. A gifted self-taught painter, her home was filled with her artwork. Determined to live fully, Ruby even achieved her goal of going swimming again this past summer even when her body was failing, creating wonderful memories that will be cherished by all who shared them.

Her quick wit and humor will long be remembered — from her quirky sayings to the way she chatted with her pets as if they truly understood her. Even in her final days, Ruby’s humor shone through: “See you later, alligator — in a while, crocodile,” could still be heard from her hospital bed.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, health care aides, and cleaning staff for their exceptional care at St. Boniface Hospital and Concordia Hospital. Sincere gratitude is also extended to her wonderful Home Care team, who supported her with such compassion over the years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice in Ruby’s memory. Arrangements entrusted to Seasons Funeral Chapel in Oakbank, Manitoba.

In a while, crocodile! Love you, Mum.

Tribute Link: seasonsfunerals.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2025