September 20, 1927 - May 21, 2020
A Life Well Lived ~ The dates hold little meaning, but the line between tells all.
Ruth was born in Vernon BC on September 20th, 1927. She spent her younger years in Lake Country but, in order to further her education, moved in with her grandmother in Vernon at the age of 14 to attend High School. The one room schoolhouse in OK Centre only went as far as Grade 8 in those days. During her early teens, as WW II was underway, Ruth worked part time at the Packing House.
After High School, Ruth moved to Kelowna, rooming with the Morgan Family while she attended Business College. After graduation, she landed a job with the Health Unit. WW 2 had come to an end and a new age had begun. Life was filled with dancing, work and fun. But Ruth had restless feet and so she headed off to Vancouver. She landed a job at Pacific Mills and managed to save up some money and buy a small house, learned to drive and bought a small car which was quite an accomplishment for a woman in that day and age.
It was at this time she made the acquaintance of a most remarkable man by the name of Harvey Whitson. A hard working and jovial man, who you could not help, but immediately like....and Ruth liked him...a lot.
Eventually Harvey and Ruth returned to Lake Country, building a beautiful home on land left to Ruth by her father. These were happy years, filled with their passions of gardening, raising her pets and entertaining their many friends and family. Sadly, great times never last long enough and Ruth lost the love of her life to cancer.
After Harvey passed, Ruth sold the house and moved to Kelowna. However, her love of Carrs Landing beckoned her back. After subdividing the family property with her brother Ken, Ruth kept a lot and built a new home there. She spent many enjoyable years there, volunteering with many community organizations including Okanagan Humane Society, Kelowna SPCA and the KGH Hospital Auxiliary. She also enjoyed a lively game of cribbage at the Winfield Horseshoe Club. Her home was always open to family and friends, but we all knew it was Ruth's pets that ruled the roost.