RUTH WALKER JONES
Unexpectedly, on November 14, 2021, Ruth Anne Walker Jones (nee Bernhardt) passed away at Deer Lodge Centre, after a lengthy battle with dementia. Born in Winnipeg on February 26, 1926, the only child of Anna (Keil) and Godfrey Bernhardt. Ruth is survived by her devoted daughter and only child, Maureen Walker Neuendorff, son in law Rex, grandchildren Laura and Scott and much-loved family pets Leo and Tukkur. In accordance with Ruth’s wishes, there will be no funeral. Cremation has taken place and a private family graveside service will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
My mother was very proud of her “Germans from Russia” heritage. Her maternal grandparents immigrated from Golga, Saratov, Russia in 1910, and the family settled in the north end of Winnipeg. Growing up during the great depression was not easy and became more difficult when Ruth’s father was diagnosed with tuberculosis and hospitalized in 1929. Her mother was forced to return to work and for most of Ruth’s childhood her maternal grandmother was her primary care giver. Ruth developed a deep connection with her grandmother and the entire Keil family who frequented their family home. Being an only child, she thrived on the attention and love she received from four aunts, three uncles and so many cousins! My mother described this as a happy time in her life, and in fact, many of her fondest memories were from the time she spent with her Großmutter. My mother remained close to her Keil aunts, uncles and cousins for the remainder of her life.
After graduating from high school, Ruth attended a career college secretarial program. One of her first jobs was with Trans Canada Airlines, now known as Air Canada. After being transferred to their head office in Montreal, she was quickly promoted to work in the office of the president! My mother loved living in Montreal and working for TCA. She loved to ski and spent a great deal of time at the Mount Royal ski hill. She loved to travel. At a time when flying was for “jetsetters”, it was extremely affordable for employees of TCA. My mother made wonderful memories on several trips to Europe and Jamaica with her dear friends Gladys and Molly. In the early 1950’’s Ruth’s grandmother became quite ill and she requested a transfer back to Winnipeg. She remained in Winnipeg after her grandmother’s death, and an employee of Air Canada until her resignation in the 1960’s to become a “stay at home” mother.
It was quite fortunate that my mother returned to Winnipeg, because just a short time later she was introduced by a mutual friend to my father, Charles “Red” Walker, at Niakwa Country Club. I am convinced my father was immediately smitten. My mother was very outgoing, a great conversationalist, quite beautiful and SO much younger than him! Their “whirlwind” courtship” lasted 7 years. They were married at Christ Lutheran Church on a blustery November 3, 1962. Ruth was thrilled when she later became a mother to a healthy baby girl, Maureen Michelle, and soon accepted that they were to remain a family of three.
My mother was talented. She loved music, dancing and singing. She was a member of the Christ Lutheran Church choir for many years and my mother and I sang hymns together right up until she could no longer speak and after that we sat and listened. She was an excellent gardener, decorator, cook and a gifted hostess. I loved watching and helping her prepare for many large dinner parties in our home on Bredin Drive. I am sure that is where my love of “lists” originated. I remember sneaking out of bed and onto the stairs to watch the grownups enjoying the parties. My mother loved to knit, crochet and embroider and gifted us with many of her beautiful creations. She was a proficient “wordsmith” with an excellent vocabulary and an amazing knowledge of grammar that bordered on annoying! She loved using these skills and tirelessly helped me edit papers throughout University. Any talent I have for writing I credit to my mother.
Ruth was very fortunate to enjoy a wonderfully varied lifestyle. She loved to curl and golf. My parents were lifetime members at Niakwa Country Club. I often accompanied them on the course and enjoyed helping “drive” the golf cart. Eventually, with some protest, I learned how to golf along with them. In recent years, my mother’s face would light up when I told her I had been out golfing at Victoria Beach. My mother’s love of travel continued but the mode of travel changed from air to road. Every year we travelled by car for a prolonged winter stay in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Granada Royale. Many years this included additional side trips to Las Vegas. One year’s side trip was to Los Angeles when my mother was selected as a contestant on her favorite game show Password. I remember that it was very exciting to be in the audience for a real TV show. My mother loved to play games, particularly when there was a bit of money at stake. She and I spent countless hours playing scrabble, cards and backgammon together, and it was always competitive! She was an excellent bridge player and enjoyed weekly afternoons of lunch (wine) and bridge with a close group of friends, a habit which continued until they were all well into their 80’s.
My mother was thrilled to become a grandmother for the first time in 1992 and again in 1994. The joy of being able to spend time with and help to care for her grandchildren eased the loneliness she felt after losing her husband in December of 1996 and her mother early in 1997. Laura and Scott looked forward to their weekly Sunday family dinners with gramma which of course included watching the Lawrence Welk Show. In 2002, Franklin Jones, recently widowed and a long-time friend of my parents, started courting my mother and they were married in 2003. After Frank’s passing, my mother continued to live independently in the community until a diagnosis of dementia eventually required her to move to long term care in June of 2017. She resided at Deer Lodge Center until the time of her passing. I am grateful to those staff members at Deer Lodge who provided my mother with exceptional care. There are too many to list. A very special thank you to Shelley Bowles who went above and beyond to bring my mother joy and treat her with the utmost kindness and respect.
Many have commented that my mother had a wonderful or perhaps even a charmed life. And for the most part that was true. What most do not realize, is that our world was upended when my mother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was in her early 50’s, and I was only 12. The symptoms of this disease profoundly impaired my mother’s quality of life. They affected relationships with her friends, family, husband and daughter, they prevented her from enjoying most, if not all, of the activities she loved, and they left her feeling alone and misunderstood. I am sad that this disease wounded our relationship, but I am incredibly thankful that dementia eventually masked the symptoms, allowing us to experience a peaceful and loving relationship towards the end of her life and I feel an emptiness without her here now. Please remember to be compassionate and kind, understanding that what is seen on the outside often does not reflect the suffering or struggles a person may be experiencing on the inside.
My mother was a Christian with a strong faith in God. She believed in heaven and was looking forward to being reunited with her family there. I trust that she is at peace and singing with them now.
“When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art”
© 1949. 1953 Manna Music, Inc. and Stuart Hine Trust. Administration: U.S.A. CCLI Song # 14181 — CCLI License
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Walker Jones Sunday November 14th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba