Brandon: Isabel Ruth. April 12, 1944 – April 29, 2018. Daughter of the late Forrest and Doris (Reid) Brandon. She attended Souris School, graduating in 1963. Ruth went on to Winnipeg to school of Nursing, graduating in 1966. The north called and she was hired in Norway House where she worked for Indian Affairs. She returned to Winnipeg but soon moved to Vancouver and was employed by the Vancouver Police Department as a nurse for 30 years. Ruth returned to Souris upon retirement in 2000. She became a busy community minded lady with being involved with St. Paul’s United Church and choir, Souris & Glenwood Foundation, Victoria Park Lodge Board, Christmas Cheer Board, Souris Art Club member, Souris Arts Council and helped start the Souris Food Bank. She loved animals especially her 3 cats, they were like children to her. She will be remembered by a strong sisterhood of friends, brother Robert (Ester), Hillary and Will. Ruth moved to the Souris Personal Care Home in 2013 and made many friends with everyone. She never lost her smile and was always a kind person to the staff and residents. A funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 with interment in the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery. In memory of Ruth donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.
We wanted to share our condolences with Ruth’s family. It is never easy to have to say goodbye to a loved one. The pain of loss can be unbearable. Our Creator promises us that one day this pain will be just a memory. That beautiful promise can be found at Revelation 21:3,4. Our pain and suffering will be a thing of the past, and we can cry tears of joy as we welcome back the ones that we love so much. We hope you find comfort in those promises.
So sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing. Will miss seeing her at the Care home. Eleanor and Lynne, you have been so good to her over the years – she was lucky to have you in her life. Sending our deepest sympathy .
Pat Smith/Muriel Turner
Great lady …both off and on the VPD…many fond memories…lots of good times..will be remembered…RIP Ruthie…..
Our condolences to the Family and friends of Ruth on her passing. As a young member of the VPD I had the privilege of working with , Ruth, during my assignment to our Jail many years ago. Ruth was not only an outstanding Jail Nurse she was a wonderful person who always had a smile and time for people in need. On behalf of her VPD family, I know she will be missed but also that she will continue to be remembered most fondly.
So sorry to hear of PoliceNurse 192 Ruth Brandon’s passing, I worked with Ruth for nearly 30 years in the Vancouver Police Jail, Ruth was a wonderful lady and an excellent nurse, I’m saddened by this news. RIP Ruth.
Sad to hear this news. I too worked with Ruth nearly 30 years in the Vancouver City Police Jail. What a calm , compassionate nurse. I have so many good thoughts of working with her.
We are sad to hear of Ruth’s passing. Our condolences to Ruth’s friends and family. Especially to Lynne and Eleanor. Thank you both for your compassionate care of Ruth while she resided at the Souris Personal Care Home. Ruth is lovingly remembered by us as a loyal friend and a second mother to Kirk and Matthew. Ruth’s fun-loving attitude for life made any time spent with her enjoyable. We have many fond memories of celebrations and vacations Ruth shared with us and our extended family. Every year at Halloween, Alison chuckles to herself remembering the time 27 years ago that Ruth arrived at our home with an over 100-pound pumpkin to carve with then, 3-year-old Kirk. It took Alison and Ruth quite a while to haul it, from Ruth’s car, in Kirk’s little -red -wagon, up the ten stairs to our kitchen door while laughing all the way!
Although, we are no longer able to speak to or hug Ruth, as the Anonymous author of this poem says:
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday.
Unseen, unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, so very dear.”
We are sure as we continue our life journey, certain circumstances from time to time will remind us of Ruth and we will reflect on how much her friendship is missed.
What sad news. Working in the jail was a lot more enjoyable with Ruth. Thank-you for so much…RIP
I was a part time VPD jail nurse and in my first week of employment Ruth was my mentor. I was so impressed with her knowledge and dedication to her work. I especially remember her kindness and how she was so respected in the workplace. Thank you Ruth for those memories. RIP
Ruth and I were friends for some 70 years, since my parents purchased a farm in the Riverview district in 1947. The Brandons were a 3 mile ride away from our farm and we had many adventures. The adventures continued for years in Vancouver and were very diverse from 24 hour episodes of salmon canning (Alison will recall) to steep hikes up mountains. Thanks to those who cared for Ruth in her final years. Good memories and now the circle is complete.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Ruth’s family. I will miss a truly lovable and kind person. Ruth was a friend and classmate in nursing school (WGH). We shared her “care packages” from home and listened to her deer hunting stories. When you needed a friend she was always there to console, comfort and laugh with. A wonderfully caring nurse, she will be missed.
My heart goes out to Ruth’s family. She was always a friendly face in a hostile place (the VPD jail), and served with character and compassion. I had the pleasure to see her again and reminisce when she came to Nelson to visit Maxine. Godspeed to you, Ruth.
A fellow Manitoban, I have known Ruth for about 50 years, both of us ending up in Vancouver. She had been a steadfast friend through all that time, and helped me through times of need more than once, showing her kindly heart. Her decision to retire back in Souris was a good choice, as when she became ill, her many friends there watched out for her , and guided her when she became unable to fend for herself, and I am grateful for that. I am sad , not only to hear of Ruth’s passing, but of the last years of her life that were stolen from her, but then, her life was well lived, and there are always happy memories. Rest my friend.
I worked with Ruth in the old city jail. She was such a wonderful person, calm and caring. Have many fond memories of her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
I have many fond memories of Ruth, from sharing a rustic cabin in Norway House on the Nelson River, trying to get her dog ( a Lab) to ride on a snowmobile and then later in Vancouver, canning tomatoes, making fruit cakes and sewing ( she helped me make my wedding dress) and made my daughters grad dress !! She was very generous with her time and talents and was a kind and caring “:Aunt” to my children. Although my visits to her in Souris were few and far between, it was also very meaningful to spend that time with her. She was also a great cook, we had some very memorable meals with her. I’m thankful for her friends who cared for her and saw to her needs in the past few years.
Some final thoughts –
“Death is at once the end of the body’s old journey,
And the beginning of the soul’s new journey”
Rest in peace, Ruth
On behalf of the WGH/HSC Alumni we wish to express our sincere condolences to Ruth’s family and friends.