JAMES, Ruth Bethany
May 23, 1981 – August 12, 2022
The family of Ruth Bethany James celebrates her life while we also mourn her death. We are grateful that her suffering is over, and we thank God for the mercy of her peaceful passage to heaven. Ruth is survived by her parents John and Barbara James, her siblings Sarah James and Adam James (Lauren Nickol) and her beloved nieces Anna and Charlotte James and Sloane Nickol as well as her aunts, uncles and cousins. We are especially thankful for dear friends she loved deeply who have loved her so well: Phrankie Willson, Lori Webster, Stella Scott, Nancy Robinson, Lindsay Orme, Tracy and Joe Mayer and Kristin and Brian Peters. Ruth loved her cat Bliss devotedly and Bliss was a comfort during many difficult days, so we will continue to love and care for her—poor substitutes for her favourite human–but we’ll do our best. Ruth holds a B.A. (Hons) in English Literature and Classics and a B.Ed. from Brock University. She taught elementary school for the Calgary Board of Education, the District School Board of Niagara and York Region District School Board. She was also a licensed real estate agent. Ruth was a dedicated fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and she loved the Canadian Football League. But the truly important things about Ruth are intangible and we celebrate them: her faith and trust in God, her indominable spirit in the face of years of adversity and illness, her sass, quick wit, intelligence and loyalty. She loved deeply and fiercely. She was feisty, brave and funny. She was a feminist and passionate advocate for justice for those who experienced oppression in any form. More than anything, Ruth was kind. She consistently thanked all healthcare workers who cared for her. She prayed faithfully for others and connected with people intentionally. Illness may have limited her physically, but it did not curb her ability to care well for others. Ruth was blessed by the care of many specialists, but the real quarterback for her care for all the years of her illness was her superb family doctor, Alison MacTavish. We are deeply grateful for her consistent excellence in medical care and for her great kindness. Thanks also to Ruth’s community of faith, St. Andrew’s United Church. Ruth was the sun and all of the stars. She was the twinkle lights in any room. She was sparklers and balloons and bubbles. She was joy personified. And to her family and friends, she is loved; she is a treasure; she is cherished. In lieu of flowers, if you think you would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider Lupus Canada, the Niagara Falls Humane Society (because that’s where she found Bliss) or Ruth’s speciality: pay it forward anonymously—make someone else’s load a little lighter. The family will receive friends at MORSE & SON FUNERAL HOME, 5917 Main Street, Niagara Falls, on Friday, August 19, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at St. Andrew’s United Church, 5645 Morrison Street in Niagara Falls. At Ruth’s request, please wear a mask in consideration of the vulnerable among us. Please consider wearing something pink—Ruth’s favourite colour or, if you are a Saskatchewan Roughriders’ fan, feel free to wear green and white! Memories, photos, and condolences may be shared at www.morseandson.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Bethany James Friday August 12th 2022..
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Death notice for the town of: Niagara-Falls, Province: Ontario