Ruth’s Obituary
Ruth Emma (Hassell) Horton passed peacefully from this world on Friday, June 5 at the age of 89. She was born in New York, New York on October 7, 1930. Daughter of George Janion Hassell of St. Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles and Frances Mattatall, of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia. Ruth’s parents decided to permanently settle in Canada, and in 1932 moved the family to Malagash where Ruth would grow up. Ruth finished her schooling in Oxford, and there she met Doug Horton. They married in 1948 and had two daughters. In the summers, Doug and Ruth spent their time between their home in Oxford and cottage in Port Howe. Once their girls were grown, they spent the winter months travelling to the Caribbean islands, including two trips to St. Eustatius where her father grew up. She spoke fondly of her time on the island; visiting her family’s Glass Bottle estate, walking the beaches to find blue beads (the island’s historic currency), and eating hamburgers at the Gin House. Ruth loved food. She loved baked goods and sangria. She could eat a full lobster (tomalley and all) before anyone else could even crack their claws. In 1987, Ruth and Doug decided to make Zephyrhills, Florida their permanent winter home and spent their snowbird years there. After Doug’s death in 1998, she would continue to travel to Florida until 2014. She was a collector of trinkets. She loved yard sales and flea markets where she would gladly spend all her money in 25-cent increments. Her grandchildren remember summers at the beach, walking and picking up sea glass from the sand. White, green and brown we could keep, but we had to forfeit the blue pieces to her. Ruth was as colourful and vivacious as her red hair. She was an artist and an excellent cook, a flirt and a troublemaker. The wise knew not to cross her, because she could hold a serious grudge. She always spoke her mind. She liked racy novels, could talk your ear off for hours, and was quick with (unsolicited) advice. She was complicated and caring, and loved us. And we loved her. Ruth is predeceased by her parents, husband Doug, brothers Stanley and George and daughter Deborah. Survived by sister Grace; daughter Julia (Rick); son-in-law Gay; grandchildren Jeff (JoAnne), Joey (Jung Hee), Mark (Sun Ya), Angela (Shaun), Adam (Tiffany); great-grandchildren, Anna, Kenny and Daniel; friend Roger; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. There is a legend about the St. Eustatius blue beads that says if you’re meant to have them, they’ll reveal themselves. Perhaps finding blue sea glass on the shores of Nova Scotia is in some way the same. We ask that you think of Ruth if a piece reveals itself to you. The family would like to thank the staff of the Cumberland Regional Hospital in Amherst for making her last days so comfortable. Arrangements are in the care of MacDiarmid’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, Oxford (902-447-2930). Condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.mmcfunerals.com. A private family service will be held on June 12. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Horton October 07 1930 June 05 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Tatamagouche, Province: Nova Scotia