LILLIAN RUTH GORDON

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LILLIAN RUTH GORDON March 12, 1926- June 4, 2000 Peacefully, surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren, Ruth Gordon ended her long struggle with illness and passed into the hands of her Lord. She was re-united with the parents she lost as a child, and three brothers, the first of whom died as an infant in 1918. It was a happy end to a remarkable life, a life marked by devotion to family and the service of others. A transplanted Torontonian, Ruth had made Winnipeg her home for almost 50 years, and during that time she was active in the community, principally through the CGIT, the YWCA (as a member of the local and national boards), and Westminster United Church. Without doubt, however, the project which remained closest to her heart was the founding in the 1970s of Osborne House, a home for abused women. Ruth was born on March 12, 1926 in Toronto, daughter of Ernest and Edna Seedhouse. After the death of her father in 1938 she was raised by her beloved Auntie Maude and Uncle Sid. She graduated from North Toronto School at the top of her class, but family circumstances and the war precluded University education. Instead, she worked for a variety of companies, mostly related to publishing, and it was whilst working for the Book Society that she was introduced to a young man from Winnipeg who had stopped in Toronto on his way to explore Chile. This young man was also seriously ill, and the planned wedding had to be advanced to July. While Don was in the Sanatorium in London, Ont., Ruth found employment in the hospital until he was discharged in 1952. She returned to work until she became pregnant with their first child in 1954. The following year brought the birth of Douglas and a move to Winnipeg. In Winnipeg she not only became part of the Gordon family but she found the prairie branch of her mothers family. Aunt Ethel, Marjorie Roberts and Dorothy Dick were very important people for Ruth during her half-century in Winnipeg. With time came two more sons, Brian and Bruce, and the adoption of a daughter Nancy. Ruth had been very active with the CGIT in Toronto and she brought this with her to Winnipeg. This development during the 1960s into involvement with the YWCA. The YWCA building was the focal point for a wide range of her activities, and her children remember well being taken along to, or being "volunteered" for many events there. Following her time with the YWCA she served Westminster Church in a variety of capacities, and during her time as Treasurer she introduced the first computer. Ruth had many passions in her life: she read widely, especially in history, she loved to travel, and she was a keen golfer. Her primary passion, however, was her husband Don, and last year the family celebrated 50 years of loving marriage. She was a witty, intelligent women, fiercely independent and, at times, outspoken. She left no one in any doubt about the things that mattered to her; and what mattered to her was truth, decency, tolerance and loyalty. She led by example. Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 51 years Don; and their children Douglas, Brian and Bruce. Their daughters-in-law Kim, Jane and Rona and grandchildren, Greg, Nicole, Meaghan, Elizabeth, Marsha, BG and Charlotte. She was predeceased by her brother Fred and is survived by her sister Doreen, both of whom were very important to her. Ruth also loved dearly her brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Evelyn Gordon and Graham and Shirley Pincock. There will be a private funeral and interment on Thursday morning, June 8. A memorial service will be held at Westminster United Church, Maryland and Westminster, at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. All are welcome. There will be a viewing at Thomson Funeral Chapel (669 Broadway) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 07, 2000