Obituary of Ruth Dodson

Ruth Dodson (1922-2021)

In sadness but with appreciation for a life well-lived, the family of Ruth Dodson announces her passing after 99 years on June 13, 2021 at Westmount Gardens in London.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Reg Dodson, sons John and Murray Dodson, sister Lois Jane Marchi and brothers Peter and Emery Brown. Ruth will be remembered by her children Karen (Don) Weston, Bill Dodson and Margaret (Derek) Dodson. She was the proud grandma of Laura (Robbin) Dove and Greg (Roxanne) Weston and the adored “GG” of great-grandchildren Rachel and Elliot Dove.

Born in Toronto in 1922, Ruth moved to Windsor as a young woman, where she met Reg. They married in 1944 and on his family farm near Comber in Essex County, they began a life together that would last for more than 50 years. Five children later, they put down roots in Lambeth in 1957.

A kind, caring and gracious woman, Ruth also had a firm practicality that helped her deal with whatever life handed out. She worked in the UWO French Department for many years and made valuable contributions to many local groups, including Trinity Anglican Church and the Lambeth Horticultural Society. Family and friends were very important to her and she was usually the one to organize family reunions, social events or group trips to visit gardens.

Ruth loved to travel, whether to distant countries, the cottage on Lake Huron or just getting behind the wheel and driving around southwestern Ontario without a destination – always coming home by a different route to explore as much as possible.

She passed these passions for family, friends, gardening and travel on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She wished for people to slow down and enjoy life. If you should ever stop and smell the roses, think of her.

The family is grateful to the friends, doctors and nurses who helped her stay at home for as long as possible and to the staff at Westmount Gardens who provided care when she no longer could.

Cremation has taken place and interment will be at the Rose Garden at Trinity Anglican Church in Lambeth. Any donations in her memory to a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.

Friends are welcome to attend the celebration of Ruth's life at the McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, 2240 Wharncliffe Rd. S., in London on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 2 p.m., with Canon David Bowyer officiating.  Please contact the funeral home at 519-652-2020 to reserve a space.  Masks are mandatory and public health guidelines will be in place.