August 13th, 1913 – December 15th, 2016
Our family wishes to celebrate the life of our dear Mother, Auntie, Grandma, and Great Grandma with all of her many friends. Ruth ended this life at the wondrous age of 103, in Armstrong, of sound mind and spirit.
Ruth was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Three brothers and one sister predeceased her; her husband Neil, a horticulturist and farmer, died in 2008, after 68 years of marriage. They had 3 children: John (b.1943) and twins, David and Dianne (b.1945). Unfortunately Dianne had severe cerebral palsy and died in 1949 of pneumonia. She was always treasured. John became a doctor in Princeton BC and David became a social worker in Vancouver, BC. Although trained as a teacher, Ruth kept busy as a mother and participant in the community. Arriving in 1942, she turned 100 on the same year as Armstrong and was honoured to be chosen to share Armstrong’s “Citizen of the Year” in 2013. Her life history appears in Okanagan History, 78th Report, Ruth Bosomworth - A Centenarian’s Perspective, pp. 62-68 by Dagmar Watkins
Ruth rode her (one-speed) bicycle 3 miles into town and back until she was 80. With the same enthusiasm, she loved people, old and young, many whom she assisted when she became the head Librarian of the Okanagan Regional Library (20 years). Others she met through her church involvement, at the Minerva Club, or in singing or reading groups. Ruth accepted everyone without judgment, listened with compassion, and acted always with grace and dignity.
Ruth is survived by her loving children John (Myrna) and David Bosomworth, her grandchildren Mark (Terri) and Allan, and her great-grandson, Fin. The family wishes to express appreciation to Jasmine Morneau, Moyreen Tucker, Rea Smith and Helen Paull for their special place in Ruth’s life in her later years. They also wish to thank the staff at PV Manor, who provided loving care to her in her last years.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Ruth at 2:00pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Zion United Church (2315 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Armstrong, BC). Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.MyAlternatives.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to ALTERNATIVES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES® Armstrong 250-546-7237 & Vernon 250-558-0866