On April 10, 2018, 91 years young, we said goodbye to “Granny”, our Mom and my Best Friend, Ruth Anne (Hill) Cullen of Sudbury. Beloved wife of the late Maurice (Murray) predeceased June 26, 1989. Loving mother to Shirley (Don Chartier), William (predeceased March 14, 2014), (Andrea). Cherished grandmother, always known as GRANNY to Derek (Lindsay), Jennifer (Shawn), Todd (Laura) and Ryan (Hollie). She enjoyed spending time with all of them, watching them grow and helping them become who they are today. She was fortunate to have 6 great- grandchildren, Raeleigh (13), Karsen (12), Emmie (10), Konner (9), Paige (8) and William (2). They brought a bright light to her eyes, she looked forward to their visits, and loved them with all her heart. Dear sister of Betty, Arthur, Murray, Pauline, Olive and Frank all predeceased. Ruth (Granny) took great pleasure in the simple things in life. She was interested in everything, valued everyone and participated fully in life. She loved her nightly crib games with her neighbour Bea Sloan, enjoyed her Monday night Bingo and all her other outings with Yolande and friends, especially Shirley McNamara her lifelong friend. When time permitted you could find her busy knitting or crocheting. In 2012, she was one of the first tenants to move into the Finlandia Lepokoti building. She met many new wonderful friends thru her daily strolls down the hallways, always stopping to chat, maybe play a few rounds of solitaire, have coffee, attend chapel or a music concert. She loved her weekly visits to her hairdresser Donna and Lisa and a special thanks to Helen Lukey. Ruth was a member of the Lepokoti Tenants Association and the Goodwill Group. To the many Finlandia staff that interacted with our Mom, words cannot express how grateful and thankful our family is for the Highest Standard of Senior Living you provided. She loved her “Finlandia Life”. You made our Mother’s time there priceless. We will all remember our best times with her and the good long life she lived. A very special thank you to Dr. Bakker and Marion, as well as Dr. de Blacam and the palliative care staff at HSN. In keeping with Ruth’s wishes there will be no visitation or service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sudbury-Manitoulin Chapter of the MS Society of Canada or the Northeast Cancer Centre.
Shirley and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a loving and beautiful woman. I have some fond memories of her growing up on Tedman. May all your wonderful memories of her help to comfort you and your family at this time.
Sincerely Barbara and family.
April 18, 2018
I started volunteering at Finlandia about 5 years ago and that’s when I met Ruth and instantly took a liking to this beautiful, happy lady. She joined our craft group and was always willing to try anything. Her age didn’t stop her from crocheting sleeping mats made out of milk bags that we then sent to Haiti. When her hands got too sore to crochet she kept coming to our group and helped prepare the milk bags so that we could use them. During these get-togethers Ruth would often make us laugh. I used to tease her telling her that she must have been an instigator when she was growing up at which she responded by laughing. She wasn’t shy. If she wanted to know something about someone, she just came out and asked them: “how old are you? are you gay?”. She enjoyed her summers. She would go out daily and get her dose of sunshine. I chuckled one time as she was out there with her coat on (it was either spring or fall) and she had her eyes closed and was soaking in the rays. She always had a beautiful dark tan. Anyhow, all this to say that I was very fortunate to have met Ruth and I truly loved her. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her and will remain forever in our memories.
April 18, 2018