Ruth Jane McClendon, 87, of Sioux Lookout, Ont. (formerly of Atikokan, Ont.) passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008 at the Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout.
Ruth was born Feb. 9, 1921 in Chapple Township, Ont. to the late Thomas and Margaret Irvine. Ruth’s mother and father, subsistent farmers, had moved to Rainy River District from the Perth, Ont. area in the early 1900s.
At the age of 16, Ruth met Leon (Lee) McClendon and they married on June 1, 1941. Following the war, Ruth and Leon moved to Atikokan with their two sons.
With Ruth a homemaker and Leon a miner at Steep Rock, their third son was born in 1961.
Following Leon’s death, Ruth remained in Atikokan for the next 20 years, where she participated in various volunteer activities. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and selling her wares at the local bazaar.
In 2001, she moved to Sioux Lookout to be closer to family.
Ruth is survived by three sons, Terry (Alanna) of Carlton Place, Ont., Robert (Arlene) of Sioux Lookout, Ont., and Brodie (Catherine) of Kenora, Ont.; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Oliver “Lee” McClendon, in 1981.
A graveside service was held Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 at 1 p.m. at the Little Falls Cemetery in Atikokan, with a luncheon that followed at the Pioneer Centre.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Kenora-Rainy River Lung Association, P.O. Box 67, Kenora, Ont., P9N 3X4 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com
Fort Frances Times
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