A lifelong resident of Morrisburg, Ruth Eleanor Kirkwood, passed away peacefully at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, March 17, 2012, following an illness of one week. She was 86 years old.
Ruth was the daughter of the late William J. and Electa Maud (nee Steed) Mullin. She was born on Monday, June 8, 1925, at Morrisburg.
On August 21, 1948, at the Whitechurch in Matilda Township, she married Robert ‘Keith’ Kirkwood who predeceased her in 1989. For more than 45 years, Ruth lived at 16 Augusta Street in the house that Keith built.
For the past nine months, she lived at the Hartford Retirement Centre in Morrisburg.
Ruth was a well-loved elementary school teacher. She began her career at Toyes Hill and later taught at Hallville and Iroquois before coming to Morrisburg Public School. After retiring, Ruth continued to provide home schooling for a number of years.
Ruth was a very active member of Knox Presbyterian Church, Morrisburg, and was particularly active in the Knox Women’s Missionary Society. She served the local Society as secretary for many years, was treasurer in the WMS at the Presbyterial level and participated in Synodical meetings.
She was involved in Prayer Group, Seekers, Children’s Group and for a number of years the local Vacation Bible School programs, and anywhere else she could serve her God.
While her health permitted, she was active in the Legion Ladies Branch 48 Auxiliary, and she was a member of the Morrisburg Order of the Eastern Star #83.
Ruth excelled at cooking and baking and was famous for her homemade buns. At the Craft Fair, people reserved them ahead to make sure they would not be disappointed.
Ruth was also quite fussy about her lawn, in which there was not a weed to be found. Any time a dandelion dared to grow, Ruth would be seen trying to eradicate it. Gardening and her flowers were two favorite hobbies in addition to watching her beloved birds. She read the Ottawa Citizen daily and faithfully followed her team, the Ottawa Senators. She enjoyed dining out and days spent shopping with her daughter.
Ruth was the cherished mother of Christine (Ray Norton) Kirkwood of Morrisburg, and loving grandmother of Jeffery and Jennifer Hess, both of Winchester Springs. She will be sadly missed by several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by one brother Donald Mullin, sisters-in-law Dorine Mullin, Beulah Gamble and Inez Davidson (in life they were as close as sisters).
Friends were received at Knox Presbyterian Church, Morrisburg, on Tuesday, March 20, from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service performed at 2 p.m. by Rev. Janine Dekker.
Organist, Gary Postma, played while the congregation sang How Great Thou Art, Blessed Assurance and Ruth’s favorite, Amazing Grace.
As per Ruth’s request, the scripture was John 15:5-17.
Even in death, Ruth ministered to her family and friends that they would feel the warmth of Christ’s love when they obeyed His commandment to love and serve others. This was how Ruth lived her life and now she is basking in the warmth of God’s love.
Interment will be in the spring, when Ruth will be placed beside her beloved husband Keith in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wayde Roles, Bruce Mullin, Mike Domanko, Charles Farlinger, Jeffery Hess and Chris Brisbois.
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