Obituary of NORRIS – Ruth Lerine

April 22, 1928 – July 23, 2011 Ruth Lerine Norris (nee Volker) passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at the age of 83 years. Ruth was predeceased by her parents and infant sister Helen and is survived by her husband Lee, with whom she celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary on July 22. She is also survived by her daughter and son-in-law Judy and Jim Snyder; grandson Mark and wife Jessica; and great-grand daughters, Ava and Sadie Ruth, all of Calgary. Ruth, daughter of Fred and Lillian Volker, was born on the Volker farm in the Great Bend district. She took her early schooling at Great Bend and by age twelve was a regular member of the cooking crew for threshing time. Following a harvesting accident that forced her Dad from the farming life, the Volkers moved to Nevis where Ruth worked in the General Store while completing her schooling. She and Lee were married in the Norris home in Erskine, the town of their first home, until they moved to Stettler where Ruth had been working at Sharp & Page’s. When Judy came along, a fine working opportunity for Lee took them to Calgary where Ruth excelled as a homemaker, mother and frequent hostess to Judy’s many friends. In 1966, a brief stint in Sales at Sears and another in Apartment Rentals led her to a procurement opportunity with Eaton’s and a role she enjoyed for fourteen years. During these and subsequent years, Ruth applied her amazing gardening skills to convert each of their successive yards into beautiful landscapes with trees, shrubs, rock gardens, vines and vibrant flowerbeds, her favourite being their cottage at Buffalo Lake, leaving each in far better shape than when they first arrived. Ruth fulfilled the roles of dependable daughter, dedicated wife, wonderful mother, doting grandmother and proud great-grandmother with a gracious and generous spirit. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Gifts in memory of Ruth may be directed to the Rosedale Hospice, #1245 – 70 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2X8, Telephone: (403) 284 – 5195. Ruth’s family would like to thank Dr. Lemieux and the wonderful staff at the Rosedale Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion during her four month stay. In living memory of Ruth Norris, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6 Telephone: 1-800-661-1599.