Ruth passed away peacefully with her husband Jack at her side, at the North Okanagan Hospice Society's Hospice House in Vernon, British Columbia on April 26, 2020. Ruth was born in New Westminster, British Columbia on January 27, 1948.
Ruth was predeceased by her mother (Lillian Dell Crittenden), father (Robert Leslie Crittenden) and brother (David Crittenden). Ruth spent her life working to help others. First as a volunteer with Saint John Ambulance as a teenager, achieving recognition for number of hours volunteered. Later she became a surgical nursing assistant, then, at 41 years of age she became a registered nurse (RN) graduating from nursing school at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, AB, receiving the class humanitarian award during the graduation ceremony, Ruth went on to work in the Emergency Departments, Cardiac Care Units and Intensive Care units of some of the most distinguished medical facilities in Alberta.
In 1991, she moved to Saudi Arabia to work in Military hospitals in Riyadh and later in Dammam/Dhahran. It was here she would meet and marry Jack on November 6, 1993, and would spend the next 12 years of her life on many adventures both in Saudi Arabia and at vacations spots around the world. Upon return to Canada in 2004 she and Jack lived in Calgary Alberta working for Alberta Health Services in a variety of roles, the most significant of which was in patient safety where she excelled.
After retirement Ruth and Jack moved to Parker Cove near Vernon BC and built their dream home on the lake. Ruth will be sadly missed but will be lovingly remembered by her husband Jack of 26 years, Ruth's daughters: Kathan Royal (Anthony), Rean Fair (Robert), grandson Riley Fair, granddaughter Lily Fair, sisters Jean Crittenden and Jamie Brown, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. The light of her life was her family, for which she would give the world.
Thanks is given to Dr. Lemiski and Dr. Humphreys and the staff of the Cancer clinics in both Vernon and Kelowna for their compassionate care during Ruth's illness. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's name may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's on-line obituary at www.MyAlternatives.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services, Vernon 250-558-0866 & Armstrong 250-546-7237.
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services