RUBY ETTA GILLIES

Ruby Etta Gillies, 89, a resident of Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 11, 2013.
Ruby was born Jan. 5, 1924 in Elswick, Sask. to Ned and Zena Sanderson. She enjoyed her childhood under wide prairie skies, but also experienced the hardships of the ’30s.
At the age of 13, she moved with her family to Emo, Ont., where she met and fell in love with her future husband, Gilbert Gillies. They married Jan. 21, 1942.
Ruby’s life revolved around her husband, home, and family. She enjoyed baking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting, winning prizes for her work at the Emo Fair.
Her love of flowers and plants led to many years of involvement with the Emo Horticultural Society. In her 60s, she took up painting and created many lovely landscapes, which her descendants treasure today.
In 2003, the couple moved to a seniors’ apartment in Emo.
Learning to operate a computer and access the Internet opened up new worlds, and Ruby was able to research her family tree as never before. She also enjoyed the regular social gatherings with other residents.
Until the last few years of her life, spent at Rainycrest, Ruby never lost her interest in world events and was self-educated in many areas.
Ruby was predeceased by her parents, Ned and Zena Sanderson; brothers, Morley and Albert Sanderson; sister, Betha Smith; son, Douglas Gillies; son-in-law, Larry Matthews; and, not quite six months ago, her beloved husband of 72 years, Gilbert Gillies.
This loving and gentle mother will be sadly missed by her daughters, Marjorie (Jack) Roemer of Moose Jaw, Sask., Evelyn Matthews of Fort Frances, Ont., Marlene Gillies of Thunder Bay, Ont., Betty (Cliff) Holborn of Devlin, Ont., Janet (Frank) Cseke of Kelowna, B.C., and Sharon (Doug) Brusven of Barwick, Ont.; and daughter-in-law, Mary Gillies of Atikokan, Ont.
Nieces, nephews, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren also will cherish her memory.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 17, 2013 at 1 p.m at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, with Pastor Michael Ohman officiating.
There will be a time for visitation with the family from 11:30-12:30 p.m.
Interment in Emo Cemetery to follow.
The pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jeff Matthews, Darren Gregory, Ken Matthews, Kevin Gregory, D.J. Gillies, and Tyler Brusven.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc., designated to either the Emo Health Centre or Rainycrest, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com