RUBY ALICE VERNON

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RUBY ALICE VERNON (nee SPEER) After 100 years of a well-lived life, Ruby Vernon passed away peacefully on February 2, 2014. She was predeceased by her husband Harold in 1994, and an infant daughter. Ruby was born in the Springfield area on October 9, 1913, the eighth of the 10 children of Richard and Annie Speer. Family was always important to Mom, her brothers and sisters and cousins were present through her life and they stayed in touch whether they were close or far. After a short career as a telephone operator Ruby married an energetic and hardworking city boy turned farmer named Harold Vernon in 1937. Ruby and Harold farmed together just outside of Dugald for over 30 years sharing responsibility for their thriving egg business and grain farm. Ruby was a member of the Dugald United Church and sang in the choir for many years. She was an active member of the UCW and the Springfield Agricultural Society. For many years Ruby was also a dresser for the Dugald Fashion Review. She was an avid baseball fan, a talented baseball player in her early years and an enthusiastic curler later in life. When she turned 80 she started doing the Free Press word jumbles, which helped to occupy her time until she could no longer see well enough to do them in her 98th year. Throughout her 100 years of living Mom had good times and difficult times. Her determination, strength and good humour always served her well and carried her through her life especially while she cared for Harold as he battled Alzheimer's for the last several years of his life. When Ruby and Harold retired from farming, they spent many happy winters in the Phoenix area. After relocating to Winnipeg they enjoyed being members of the Crescent Fort Rouge United Church where they were warmly welcomed. Ruby's warmth, good sense of humour and sincere interest in others was rewarded with many lasting friendships wherever she went. Even as her mobility decreased and her strength began to wane, she continued to be unfailingly positive and concerned for others. Thanks to all her many visitors and special thanks to niece, Bev Lumsden and special friend Susan Freund for their care and friendship. The family appreciates the kindness and caring Mom received from the staff at Kin Place. Cherishing memories and lessons learned are her children Don Vernon (Linda) and Barbara Ross (Jack), six grandchildren: Don's children Cheryl Vernon (Vaughn), Marcie Yurkiw (Cary) and Joanna DeBackere (Dan); Barbara's children Verene Freund (Darren), Lavonne Ross and Sean Ross (Gregory), and seven great-grandchildren, Matthew and Kelsey Dueck, Cody Anne Keith (Kristian), Jaeda and Colby Yurkiw, and Blake and Dylan DeBackere. She also leaves her sister, Hazel Edmonds, and brother-in-law John Vernon to mourn her passing, as well as many other relatives and friends. Respecting Ruby's wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held in Oakbank United Church, 582 Balsam Crescent, Oakbank, MB, on Monday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Cathy Kinsman officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruby's name to Kin Place Personal Care Home (680 Pine Drive, Box 28, Oakbank, MB R0E 1J0) or the charity of your choice. www.seasonsfunerals.ca
Publish Date: Feb 8, 2014

RUBY ALICE VERNON (nee SPEER) After 100 years of a well-lived life, Ruby Vernon passed away peacefully on February 2, 2014. She was predeceased by her husband Harold in 1994, and an infant daughter. Ruby was born in the Springfield area on October 9, 1913, the eighth of the 10 children of Richard and Annie Speer. Family was always important to Mom, her brothers and sisters and cousins were present through her life and they stayed in touch whether they were close or far. After a short career as a telephone operator Ruby married an energetic and hardworking city boy turned farmer named Harold Vernon in 1937. Ruby and Harold farmed together just outside of Dugald for over 30 years sharing responsibility for their thriving egg business and grain farm. Ruby was a member of the Dugald United Church and sang in the choir for many years. She was an active member of the UCW and the Springfield Agricultural Society. For many years Ruby was also a dresser for the Dugald Fashion Review. She was an avid baseball fan, a talented baseball player in her early years and an enthusiastic curler later in life. When she turned 80 she started doing the Free Press word jumbles, which helped to occupy her time until she could no longer see well enough to do them in her 98th year. Throughout her 100 years of living Mom had good times and difficult times. Her determination, strength and good humour always served her well and carried her through her life especially while she cared for Harold as he battled Alzheimer's for the last several years of his life. When Ruby and Harold retired from farming, they spent many happy winters in the Phoenix area. After relocating to Winnipeg they enjoyed being members of the Crescent Fort Rouge United Church where they were warmly welcomed. Ruby's warmth, good sense of humour and sincere interest in others was rewarded with many lasting friendships wherever she went. Even as her mobility decreased and her strength began to wane, she continued to be unfailingly positive and concerned for others. Thanks to all her many visitors and special thanks to niece, Bev Lumsden and special friend Susan Freund for their care and friendship. The family appreciates the kindness and caring Mom received from the staff at Kin Place. Cherishing memories and lessons learned are her children Don Vernon (Linda) and Barbara Ross (Jack), six grandchildren: Don's children Cheryl Vernon (Vaughn), Marcie Yurkiw (Cary) and Joanna DeBackere (Dan); Barbara's children Verene Freund (Darren), Lavonne Ross and Sean Ross (Gregory), and seven great-grandchildren, Matthew and Kelsey Dueck, Cody Anne Keith (Kristian), Jaeda and Colby Yurkiw, and Blake and Dylan DeBackere. She also leaves her sister, Hazel Edmonds, and brother-in-law John Vernon to mourn her passing, as well as many other relatives and friends. Respecting Ruby's wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of her life will be held in Oakbank United Church, 582 Balsam Crescent, Oakbank, MB, on Monday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Cathy Kinsman officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruby's name to Kin Place Personal Care Home (680 Pine Drive, Box 28, Oakbank, MB R0E 1J0) or the charity of your choice. Seasons Funeral Service, 204-444-5444 www.seasonsfunerals.ca
Publish Date: Feb 6, 2014

RUBY ALICE VERNON (SPEER) On February 2, 2014, at Kin Place Personal Care Home in Oakbank, Ruby passed away peacefully at the age of 100. Arrangements pending with full obituary to follow. Seasons Funeral Service, 204-444-5444, www.seasonsfunerals.ca
Publish Date: Feb 4, 2014
Publish Date: Feb 6, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 08, 2014