Obituary of Ruth Elaine Carruthers

August 10, 1928 – Wilcox, Saskatchewan

April 30, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ruth Carruthers. While she will be forever remembered and missed, her family is comforted by her return to her Creator. Ruth passed away, with her family at her side, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, after a brief illness.

Ruth Elaine Carruthers (nee Small) was born August 10, 1928, in Wilcox, SK to Albert and Marjorie, growing up on a farm. After graduating high school and business school in Saskatchewan Ruth moved to Windsor, continuing to educate herself in English and History, and began working in the Detroit/Windsor area. She also worked as a fashion and photography model to supplement her education. Ruth married in Windsor, becoming Carruthers and subsequently divorced. She gave birth to her only child Rachel in 1964. Ruth raised her daughter with great effort and love as a single parent, although not by her choice and long before single parenting became acceptable. She worked very hard to seek out and provide the best Christian-based life and education for her daughter, always instilling that her daughter could do or be anything.

Ruth worked for Bell Tel Canada and for prominent investment houses of bonds, stocks, and mutual funds in the United States. She also sold real estate in Saskatchewan.

Ruth and Rachel’s lives involved living in Michigan, California, Florida, and Ontario; finding in Florida a fulfilling life, church life, and a family of great blessings in Connie and Bill Higerd, which continues to this day. Ruth moved back to Saskatchewan in 1978 to be with her aging mother, where they had no regrets and many memories; her daughter graduated high school and university in Saskatchewan.

Ruth gained a wonderful son by the marriage of her daughter to Dr. Stan Fahlman in 1987. In 1989 she welcomed her first and only grandchild Raissa, with whom she had a very close and special relationship. She lived in Calgary for many years to be close to her family.

The whole family travelled together to Beijing in 2000 where they walked the Great Wall of China together. Ruth travelled many places in life, including visiting family, but visiting Scotland where her mother was born was very special to her. She continued to return to Florida throughout her retirement years. Ruth moved back to Calgary to be very close to her daughter in her last years.

Ruth gained another amazing man in her life, Chris Bill, through the marriage of her granddaughter.

She was an amazing woman of courage, strength, adventure, resourcefulness, wonderful humour and spirit, and beautiful, inside and out, to the very end.

She leaves behind her daughter Rachel (Stan), and granddaughter Raissa (Chris). Ruth was predeceased by all her siblings, Len, Marjorie, Mary, Margaret, and Murray.

A small service of remembrance will be held at the Grant Hall Hotel (401 Main St. N, Moose Jaw, SK) on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Please direct inquiries to the family at cruthREF@gmail.com. Ruth will be returned to her Creator in an inurnment with her parents at the Rosedale Cemetery in Moose Jaw, SK on Monday, July 29, 2024.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ruth’s family here.

Flowers are welcomed to: Fahlman, Care of Grant Hall Hotel in Moose Jaw July 25, 2024, to July 27, 2024. 

In living memory of Ruth Carruthers, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.