Ruth Hearn Gordon passed away peacefully in Invermere, B.C. with her children beside her. She was born on May 16, 1923 to Rosa Clarville Bourne and Archibald Reid McLean at Pointe a Pierre, Trinidad, West Indies. She attended Bishop Anstey High School in Port of Spain, and remembered fondly riding her bicycle to school daily and enjoying geography, English and French. She was a keen player on the school field hockey team, and also loved ballet and piano. Ruth trained in hairdressing and practiced for a couple of years before marrying her longtime sweetheart Ken Gordon in 1948 when he returned from serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The couple settled in the southern oilfields where Ken was employed. The decades to follow were the happiest of times; raising a family (Robert born 1949 and Jennifer 1952) playing tennis and golf, building lifelong friendships and honing her skills at growing orchids and anthurium lilies.

In 1985 after retiring, Ruth and Ken moved to the Columbia Valley which they had come to love. They became proud Canadian citizens and fully embraced a new life. Ruth’s continuing love of golf saw her enjoying the many courses in the Valley and making new friends. She was a proud member of the Fairmont Ladies ‘Riverside Rosebuds’ team for years. She remained passionate about the game even when her knees became uncooperative. Family also meant the world to Ruth; she was an adoring wife to her ‘Kennie’, a wonderful mother and an enthusiastic, loving ‘Gran’ to Katherine, Ian and Isobel . They, along with Rob and Jeni and their spouses will miss her and keep her memory alive. She and Ken were grateful for their long and happy life together, and for family and friends near and far. Ken passed away in 2009. Ruth is survived by her two sisters in Barbados, Pat and Jean. Ruth kept her ‘Joie de Vivre’ all her years, playing piano and dancing, bringing fun and laughter to everyone. Along with her vitality and great sense of style, she was a kind and loving person. During the past year when Columbia House was her home, she kept a cheerful outlook, enjoyed a joke, was gracious and appreciated all who cared for her.

A service was held in the presence of family, at the Invermere cemetery on May 26th with Celebrant Gordon Murphy presiding. This was followed by a Celebration of Ruth’s life where friends shared stories and heard some songs at McToogle’s Restaurant, long a favourite spot for Ruth & Ken.

Donations ‘in lieu’ will be gratefully accepted in Ruth’s memory at the ICAN office (Invermere Companion Animal Network Society)

Tel.-250-341-7888.