RUTH EDYTHE PRIMEAU (GOTTFRED)

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RUTH EDYTHE PRIMEAU (nee GOTTFRED) 1920 2014 After a long and healthy life, Ruth passed away peacefully on November 1, 2014 with her son, Bob, by her side. Ruth was born in Edmonton on April 20, 1920, the daughter of Oscar and Edythe Gottfred (nee Dancy). Her mother passed away from encephalitis 10 days after she was born. Her Aunt Lil came to Edmonton and took her to Winnipeg where she was raised by her paternal Icelandic grandmother, Cecelia Gottfred (Gottskalkson), whom she gratefully called "Amma" and considered her her mother. Her three aunts and four uncles chipped in and she became one of the family. She graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in 1937 and married James Primeau in 1942. They had five children, four boys and a girl. Ruth held several jobs throughout her life, in Winnipeg: at Eaton's, The Bay, at Dr. Wards Office and at the Court of Queen's Bench. She moved to Victoria in 1980 and worked for the Sherriff's Department, happily retiring in 1985. She had a long and healthy retirement and enjoyed many years of Scottish Country dancing. She enjoyed going to the symphony and she loved to sing. Left to cherish her memory are her half sister, Marjorie Dawson (Doug) of Winnipeg, her daughter Judy of Winnipeg and her sons, Ken of Terrace, Bob of Victoria, Bill and daughter-in-law Linda of North Vancouver, her adult grandchildren: Kelly, Michael, Jay, Tara and Stephanie and her recently arrived great-grandson, Carson, son of Jay and Michelle Primeau of Winnipeg; along with her other relatives and friends she meet along the way. Ruth was predeceased by her mother, Edythe, her father Oscar, her "Amma" Cecelia her son Donald and his wife Marianne, her former husband James and her half-brother, Bob Gottfred, Her Aunt Rose became our family's guardian angel and she considered her Uncle Vic, as a brother. May they rest in peace. Her family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Baptist Housing Central Care Home in Victoria for their loving care and to Dr. Ross McKay for many years of service and guidance. Many thanks to Pastor Gwen at the Central Care Home in Victoria for leading the lovely hymn sing and time of remembrance held November 9, 2014.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2014