Obituary of Ruth Evelyn Thomson

Ruth Evelyn Thomson Peacefully at Westmount Gardens on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 Ruth Evelyn Thomson (Andrews) formerly of Lambeth, Ontario. In her 83rd year. Beloved wife of the late Andrew Cairns Thomson (July 3, 1992). Loving mother of Andrew (Heather), Nancy (Patrick) McNally and Kirk (Catherine). Proud grandmother of Ashley, Megan, Danny (Kristy), Laura (Colin), James (Melanie), Anna (Ryan), Justin and Shannon. Dear sister of Donalda (Victor). Loving Great-grandmother, Aunt and Great-Aunt. Predeceased by her brother Duke (Jean). Ruth grew up in Oshawa where she helped out at the family grocery store. She later worked at General Motors where she met Andy Thomson. They married in 1955. She was delighted to leave GM to embark on the career of her dreams: being a full-time wife and mother. In 1970 Ruth, Andy and their three children moved to Lambeth where she supported her husband’s dream to own and operate Can-Am RV Centre. Ruth will be remembered for her sunny disposition and her sense of fun. She loved to travel and toured much of the world in an Airstream travel trailer, including Europe and China. Ruth was an avid curler and member of the London Curling Club. She was actively involved in Lambeth United Church and a member of the Lambeth Horticultural Society. Ruth loved to bake and cook, especially for family and friends: she was the consummate hostess. Ruth was never happier than with family. She taught her children the value of family ties and of acting with kindness and integrity. She was a firm believer in facing life’s challenges head-on. When she lost her husband to cancer in 1992, she bravely faced widowhood at the young age of 61 and became even more engaged in community life, determined to maintain her independence. In 2007, when the symptoms of Alzheimer’s compromised her ability to live alone, she left the family home in Lambeth to move into a retirement home in Grimsby, Ontario, close to her daughter and her sister. For five years Ruth found great joy in sharing her daily life with Nancy and her grandchildren who attended Ridley College in St. Catharines. When Ruth’s disease progressed so that more care was necessary, she returned to London where she made her home at Westmount Gardens. The family would like to thank the excellent staff at Westmount Gardens and the caregivers at Home Instead who added so much to the quality of Ruth’s final years. Family will receive their friends at the McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, 2240 Wharncliffe Road, South, Lambeth 519-652-2020 on Thursday, February 6, 2014 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 pm. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at Lambeth United Church, 4268 Colonel Talbot Road, Lambeth on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 am. Reverend Matthew Penny officiating. Interment Woodhull Cemetery, Kilworth. In lieu of flowers donations to Lambeth United Church or the Alzheimer Society gratefully acknowledged. On-line condolences are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca