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Ruth Elizabeth Kemp Obituary
Ruth Elizabeth Kemp, age 94, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Rotary Hospice, Stratford, Perth. She was born in Bassano, Alberta, daughter of the late Thomas and Agatha (Hjorth) Sorensen. Predeceased by her loving husband, Gavin Arthur Kemp (March 23, 2009). Proud mother of Neil (Patricia), Leon (Peggy) and Catharine (Darryl) Kemp-Roth. Loving grandmother to Alex (Rachel), Bethany (Daniel), Sarah, Grace, Raphael, Evie and her great grandchildren David, and Gabriella, step great grandchildren Asher and Lydia, and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth grew up in Dickson, Alberta. Ruth married her sweetheart, Gavin Kemp in 1951. They met while she was working at Olds Agricultural College, where he was a student. They wed after his graduation, and were married for almost 60 years. Gavin and Ruth raised their family in Lethbridge, Alberta, moving to Victoria after his retirement from the Lethbridge Agricultural Research station.
While in Lethbridge, Ruth volunteered for many organizations. She served on the boards of the Lethbridge Symphony, the Playgoers, the Red Cross. She was heavily involved in the Anglican Church, establishing the nursery, and serving in the Sanctuary Guild. She did a significant amount of fund raising for the Heart and Lung Society, established and annual Girl Guide Tea fund raiser that ran for at least 10 years after they left Lethbridge. She was also deeply involved with Lethbridge’s activities for the Canadian centennial. Ruth was active in the community, and enjoyed many activities. Her personal hobbies included weaving, quilting, sewing, and cooking. She was a member of many organizations, including Order of the Easter Star, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority (voted “girl of the year in 1968”), bridge club, gourmet food club, and the Lethbridge, quilting guild. Ruth’s entrepreneurial enterprises included an artisan consignment store in Lethbridge, and the sale of Nikken health products in Victoria. A fan of orchestral music, Ruth attended classical performances whenever possible. She particularly enjoyed performances by her talented daughter, Catherine Kemp-Roth.
Besides her parents and her husband, Ruth was predeceased by her siblings: Helga Paulsen, Niels Sorensen, Helen Varty, Lillian Sorensen, Lillian Alexandra Mikulosik, Kent Sorensen, and Svend Sorensen.
In keeping with Ruth’s wishes cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations may be made to Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice through the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St, Stratford, ON www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth, please visit our floral store.
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August 8 1930
March 25 2025
Death notice for the town of: Stratford, Province: Ontario
death notice Ruth Elizabeth Kemp August 8 1930
March 25 2025
obituaries notice Ruth Elizabeth Kemp August 8 1930
March 25 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Elizabeth Kemp August 8 1930
March 25 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
