Obituary of Ruth Cole

It is with great sadness that we announce that our mother Ruth Cole (nee Robison) passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at the age of 85 years. Ruth was born on October 18, 1920 on the homestead of her parents George Ray and Ethel (Golding) Robison in Chinook, Alberta. Her move to Calgary in 1937 to attend college resulted in her finding happy employment at the Royal Bank at the old Centre Street branch. She married Calgarian Frances Emerson Cole (RCNVR) on December 25, 1943 in Port Alberni, BC while he was stationed in Esquimalt, BC. Always thinking of others and never wanting to be a burden, Mom was the first to offer help in any situation. She cared for her mother-in-law and her Uncle Jay who came to live with the family when he was too old to continue on the farm. The door was always open and it was never a problem to “put another potato in the pot.” Mom and Dad also knew how to have a good time. They loved their friends and usually they all got together on a Saturday night to roll up the carpet and dance. They enjoyed camping, exploring the world and taking the best out of every day. Through the efforts of their son Colin, they were able to travel to Australia, South America and Central Europe. When dad was diagnosed with cancer, she cared for him at home with tender devotion until his death on December 11, 1988. Ruth was a member of the Eastern Star and is Past Matron. She was a Charter Member of the Heritage Chapter of The Daughter’s of the American Revolution (D.A.R.). She was a twenty-five year member in the Alberta Family History Society and travelled to the United States, England and Eastern Canada to track down her roots. Ruth has left the family with a rich legacy of their kin dating back to the 1500’s. Her pleasure and dedication to family and community led to years of genealogical research in the compilation of a history book of the early days of Chinook, Alberta. Caring, loyal, generous, and trustworthy are the words that mom lived her life by. Her motto was “live and let live”. Although she had strong convictions, she respected everyone’s beliefs. Her greatest enjoyment in her life was her family. She appreciated her neighbours and valued her friends. Life on the prairies was one of her fondest memories and one of her favourite places in the world. Looking back on her life, she recently wrote: “Life’s been great, I don’t know why Likely because, I didn’t even try.” She leaves her son Colin Cole; daughter and son-in-law Bonnie (Cole) and Keith Laycock; grandchildren, Laura and Jonathan Laycock; great-granddaughter Simone; her beloved sister Dorothy; cousin Virginia MacLeod; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by husband Frank Cole and sister Louise Peyton. In honour of Ruth, a celebration of her life will be held at the Calgary Golf and Country Club (1 ¢ blocks west of Elbow Drive on 50th Avenue S.W.) on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Thanks to Royal Park Manor Seniors’ Residence where she resided for the last four years of her life. Particular thanks to the staff at the Sarcee Hospice for their compassion and tender loving care. In living memory of Ruth Cole, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.