16 March 1943 – 15 April 2012
Ruth Geraldine MacCallum of Fruitvale, B.C. passed away at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, Trail, B.C., surrounded by loving friends.
Ruth was the youngest of two children of Gerald (deceased) and Thena MacCallum, nee Jacobsen. She is survived by her Mother, Thena; her brother, Lawrence (Margaret) and their two children, Deborah (Douglas) and Darcy (Victoria) and their families.
As a career military family the MacCallums were posted
throughout Europe and Canada. Although Ruth’s formative
years were spent living among old world cultures she found
her heart had its niche in the rugged landscape and people of the Yukon. These memories were special to her.
Ruth earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the
University of British Columbia and her Registered Nursing
Certificate in 1968. She went on to further her education
with a Master of Science Degree from Arizona State University in 1976. She belonged to the B.C. Association
of Clinical Counsellors and numerous other associations and affiliations connected to her employment.
Ruth was employed in the field of Mental Health practising
in Maple Ridge, Nelson, Trail and Castlegar, B.C. She had
just recently retired from the Castlegar Office. She briefly
maintained a small business, Best Options, dealing with
Employee Assistance.
As a child Ruth was imbued with the cultures of Europe which came together to form a woman of understated refinement, grace, class and dignity seldom seen in someone so young. This was evident to the end.
We would like to thank Drs. T. Toews, M. Smith and L. Scotland and their team/staff for their excellent care; the nurses and staff of Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital for allowing her dignity; Home Nursing Services; Red Cross Loan Cupboard; and, her extended circle of friends and family. There are no words to express the gratitude to her special group of friends who folded her into their arms and filled these last months with love, caring, warmth, friendship and quality of life. Thank you. We will all miss that smile as there was no truer friend.
Ruth will rest next to her Father in the Garden of Gethsemani, Surrey, B.C. Internment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make donations to TB Vets, 1410 Kootenay Street, Vancouver, B.C., V5K 4R1 www.tbvets.org or the charity of your choice.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 1374 Pine Avenue, Trail, B.C. with Canon Neil Elliot, Celebrant. Gwen Ziprick of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence