Ruth Dearing
North Sydney
Small, mighty, feisty, funny, loyal, and loving – just some of the words to describe this sweet woman, Ruth Dearing, who although only standing a bit under 5 feet tall, seemed bigger than life. We are sad to announce that her earthly light flickered out Wednesday,July 4, 2018.
Ruth Dearing was born April 11,1921 and was raised in a tight knit family with her parents, Eli and Rebecca Vaters and brother Gordie. She didn’t have to leave her neighbourhood to meet, marry, and raise a family with the love of her life, Bernard Dearing. They raised their four children to understand and respect family values, and before she knew it, she was affectionately called nanny blue, nanny yellow, roots, toots, or blue bags by a whole passel of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and by many of their friends.
Mom dedicated her life to others – family, friends, and community. As a lifelong member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 19, she served multiple terms on the ladies auxiliary executive and worked faithfully in the kitchen, earning her the prestigious meritius service award. Mom was very social, enjoying darts and cards at the legion and also, at the North Sydney Pensioners Club. People seemed to gravitate to her infectious laugh and outrageous sayings and whether it was a family party, legion do, or seniors gathering, Mom was typically the last to head home. Everyone seems to have a « Ruth » story that brings a smile.
Living to the advanced age of 97, Mom knew the pain of losing her parents, her brother and so many loved ones. Her strength and faith were certainly tested when the immediate family circle was broken when our father Bern Dearing, died 30 years ago and then she had to experience the passing of grandson, Bernie, grandson-in-law, Allan, son-in-law, Fergie, and more recently her daughter, Betty, son, Dick, and great-great grandson, Noah.
For the last several years, dementia erased many of the memories mom treasured so much, but it was not able to steal her sense of humour. She came out with one liners that could bring tears of laughter to so many, including her second family – the staff of Mira Bay at Harbourstone. We will be forever grateful for the loving care you provided Mom while she was with you and more recently, that same loving support for us, her family, as Mom made her final life’s journey.
Mom will live on in the hearts and memories of sons, Greg (Sylvia), Reg (Joanne); daughter-in-law Clara Dearing, grandchildren Donna (Billy), Ruth Ann, Kelly (Darren), Danielle (Peter), Leslie (Russell), Betty Lynn (Paul), Shamus (Jennifer), Elliott (Linda), Taya, Cara, (Leelan); 19 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren with two more on the way; sisters-in-law Mary Dale, the two Joan Dearings and numerous nieces and nephews.
After a long life of service to so many, mom certainly deserves some peace and quiet but everyone knows, she never looked for that in life. If heaven truly is what makes you happy, Mom has perfectly pinned clothes on the line, she and Dad are at the kitchen table while he’s checking the flyers and sipping tea out of a saucer, the first visitors are coming over the step and mom is jumping up while hollering, « Come on in, the teapot’s on. »
We are all so thankful for what this little woman with great spirit gave to us – we are blessed.
Donations in Mom’s memory can be made to Haley Street Adult Services.
Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Funeral service will take place 2:00 p.m. Saturday, at St. Matthew Wesley United Church, North Sydney, with Rev. Stephen Mills officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ruth Dearing April 11 1921 July 4 2018 (age 97).source
Décès pour la Ville: North-Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
