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Ruth Pester Obituary
PESTER, Ruth Eleanor (nee MacPhee)
November 17, 1934- February 17, 2025
Fun-loving and silly, kooky and always with her beautiful smile, Ruthie loved life and was a “firecracker”- she will be forever missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her and loved her.
Born in Toronto, Ontario to Flora and Angus MacPhee. Predeceased by her husband Charlie, brother Alec, and her infant children, Paul Robert and Carrie Elizabeth. Survived by her children Charles (Beverly) and Alison (Ian); her grandchildren Sarah, Amy, Ali, Bryn (Chris), and Charlie; great-grandchildren Jack, Wells, and Gwen; her siblings John and Norma (Kumar) and cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ruthie attended Rideau Public School and KCVI where she excelled in athletics and met the love of her life, Charlie “Goose” Pester. She loved playing softball, basketball, volleyball and hockey. “Mickey” went on to the Peterborough Teacher’s College program and taught for many years in the Frontenac Board of Education.
Grandma Ruthie (affectionately known as GR by her grandchildren), was a devoted fan of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. She was their biggest cheerleader who proudly shared their accomplishments with her friends and family.
Ruthie was an avid hobbiest. She was an extremely talented knitter who made beautiful creations for her children and grandchildren to wear. She sewed many of her own clothes and had her own unique sense of style and panache. She was a voracious reader who would often stay up all night to finish a great tome and once wanted to surprise Ian Rankin in a Scottish pub to get his autograph after reading all of his books. GR instilled a love of reading in her students, children and grandchildren.
Photography was her passion and obsession to photograph every moment she could capture through the lens. The photo albums filled with people, places, and events took up an entire room of the Couper Street home. Her travels out West to visit family, her love of Scotland, and her trips to other foreign places were captured in many of her photographs.
Ruthie enjoyed her brunches, lunches and dinners out with friends and family. She was well known in the Kingston restaurant scene and never passed up an opportunity for tea or socializing!
Ruth was an accomplished canoeist who paddled the Rideau Canal, and various lakes all over Ontario. She loved camping and canoe tripping with her friends and was the Campcraft leader for many years at CAMP IAWAH where both of her children and some of her grandchildren were campers. She had a great love of the outdoors and a reverence for the beauty of nature.
Music was integral to Ruth’s life- she played the ukelele and purchased a secondhand upright piano to play but it was quickly taken over by her daughter. That love of music, live performance and kinship through ensemble singing and playing were treasured throughout her life. She was a member of the RCHA, enjoyed many concerts and musical gatherings on Wolfe Island, enjoyed performances at the Grand Theatre and GR played in the LaSalle Secondary School Adult Band during her later years in life. A legendary attempt to play the drums in her ’80s came as no surprise to her family- just the kind of adventure that Ruthie would pursue!
Finally, Ruth’s faith in her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was central to her resilience, ability to overcome extremely challenging situations, and confidence in her loyalty to God and His plan for her life.
Thanks must be given to all the staff at St. Lawrence Place and all of the physicians and nurses on the Heritage Palliative floor at Providence Care Hospital for providing compassionate and loving care towards Ruth and her family.
Visitation will take place at James Reid Funeral Home (1900 John Counter Blvd. Kingston) on Friday, February 28th, from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm. The funeral will take place on Saturday, March 1st at St. James Anglican Church (10 Union Street, Kingston) at 1 pm followed by burial at Cataraqui Cemetery then a reception at St. James.
If you wish to make a donation in Ruthie’s name, she would greatly appreciate a contribution to either of these charities: Friends of Koura in Canada (online donation through CanadaHelps) and the LaSalle Swing Band Fund.
To send flowers to the family of Ruth, please visit our floral store.
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November 17 1934
February 17 2025
Death notice for the town of: Kingston, Province: Ontario
death notice Ruth Pester November 17 1934
February 17 2025
obituaries notice Ruth Pester November 17 1934
February 17 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Pester November 17 1934
February 17 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
