Ruth Bothwell

"And Those Were Fighting Words" My Mom's obituary popped up a few minutes ago as I was glancing at my Facebook page. After reading through her obituary (even though, every word is true,) I realized that some of the smaller achievements and beliefs that weren't mentioned made her interesting and showed her true essence. To clarify, education was indeed something that she emphatically believed in pursuing; This belief made her a lifelong learner. It should be noted that despite earning her B.A. she returned to university to take courses in social work and photography. As well, she decided to study ballet at the age of 42. My Mom also studied and passed the Part 1 course of her Real Estate License realising she did not wish to continue. She also studied creating stained glass and ceramics. Furthermore, she wasn't only interested in watching sports such as hockey spurred on by her brothers, my Mom enjoyed playing sports. At a young age, there had been a speed skating competition in her town. According to her brother Barry, my Mom had already started her second lap around the ice arena despite, all the children her age not having finished the first lap. She desired to continue competing in sports but was forbidden for health reasons (a hole in her heart) by my grandmother. My Mother always referred to herself as a frustrated athlete, contending with coaching and organizing little league soccer, joining a curling league, participating in rhythmic gymnastic classes, and swimming laps at the gym as an adult. Additionally, my Mom played the role of a religious and conservative wife and Mother. She played it so well, that many missed that she was a passionate but timid social activist. Volunteering was as important as paid work. The places where she volunteered were countless. My Mom volunteered as a "candy striper," at a hospital in Stratford when she met her future sister-in-law, Janet, a nurse. Her list of volunteer positions was as varied as they were countless. Some of her work included collecting signatures for local by-laws, supporting an NDP campaign, coaching soccer and organizing Little League, functioning as a probation officer, hosting international students, "babysitting" for neighbours, participating in the CPRI annual book sale (she also volunteered me for this along with many more things), and so much more. One of her last, volunteer positions was assisting with paperwork at a local church. I have said "a local church," and not "her local church," because she believed all Christian churches were simply Christian and chose not to distinguish between them based on denomination. My Mom would often attend the church that was closest to where she lived. The only time she would pick one church over another was if she believed that the church was discriminatory, self-righteous or presented as superior when judging others, especially the poor. One of her favourite churches was the Salvation Army based on their dedication to improving the situation for homeless and low-income families. Unfortunately, a Salvation Army location was never a close drive to her home. When she was young, she had wanted to work as a missionary for them. My Mom may have if she hadn't met my Father and decided to have children. My Mom was also disgusted by racism. In this era, it is not politically correct to express racist thoughts even though it is still rampant. In my Mom's younger years, it was still socially acceptable at some level and she would experience retort among "white" people if she challenged their opinions. Being timid she learned to quiet herself. With age came wisdom, confidence and finally, speaking up. Also, with the information she was open to receiving, she discovered she was a feminist. This was something she did not identify with until her early forties while taking a course at Western University. Until then, my Father and I had been the feminists in the family. Nevertheless, my Mother remained married to Jesus and fundamental in her other Christian beliefs. My Mom always had to be busy even if she was tired and it remained this way until the end of her time on Earth. She married youngish and gave birth to me a year later. In her early twenties after birthing me she worked a couple of evenings a week in accounting at Eaton's to support her education. My Dad parented me these evenings. Simultaneously, she took a course every year with breaks when she birthed my sisters. Taking courses continued until she graduated. When she retired as a librarian, she opened up a small and successful antique business in addition to working in an after-school program and babysitting my niece and nephew. She had great business savvy and if my Dad had listened to her ideas, we would have been millionaires. My Mom had wanted to buy houses in Toronto and rent rooms to students at a time when real estate was still affordable. As well, she wanted to open a McDonald's and Tim Hortons in Stratford at a time when neither existed there. After someone else opened the McDonald's, much to my Dad's chagrin, she would always comment on the parking lot being full when we drove by. My Dad didn't believe in taking risks and believed saving money was the "best route." For my Mother, there was no risk as she knew they would prosper. To end this addendum to her obituary, I wanted to share a "tidbit." I only ever heard my mother swear once in her life. It was when I called her from Spain to say I was getting married and that I would live in Madrid thereafter (I eventually moved back to Canada, of course.) All I heard on the other side of the phone was, " Ah F@#%!

Ruth worked in the Library at CPRI when I was. She was always friendly and very helpful when I needed something. God Bless you Ruth. Rosalind Stacey-Corrin

Aunt Ruth was always a gentle, quiet, calm soul. Her fierce dedication to Uncle Fred, her girls and her grandchildren was evident. She was so loving and patient with her mom as well as devoted and proud of her brothers and their families. Her love for education, nature and her faith are what I will remember the most. She had lovely penmanship and long after regular mail became obsolete it was a joy to receive a hand written birthday card in the mail at birthday time. It was always so appreciated. God Bless and rest in peace Aunt Ruth.

Ruth was our wonderful neighbour on Blackburn for many years. Thank you, Ruth, for being such a kind, listening and caring friend. You will be missed.

Ruth was a wonderful woman who will be missed by everyone

we made a donation to the Salvation Army ....Ruth was such a great sister and sister in law....always there for all so caring of her family. I remember when first dating her brother and going to their home and she was always tidying up - making sandwiches for them....she was always looking out for her brothers and also did the same for her Fred and 3 daughters....a real jewel - a special lady who will be missed...hugs to all.

A donation has been made to Salvation Army. Message from the donator: We have so many great memories of your Mom & Dad. We spent a lot of time together in London and on the farm over a lot of years. She'll be missed by many. Ken & Barbara Romanuk

We miss Ruth’s quiet gentle contributions in our Girlfriends in God group fellowship and discussions of God’s messages to us in books and films we read and saw at Byron United Church. RIP dear lady.