Ruth Fearnside

The family of Ruth Dorothy Fearnside is sad to share the news of her passing at the Warman Special Care Home on July 8, 2021 at the age of 94.

Ruth was born in Swanson, SK on Oct 21, 1926, to Albert and Anna Halen, the youngest of 7 children. The Halen family moved to Milden when Ruth was 4 and it was there, she attended school and called home.  After graduation, she attended Normal Technical School in Saskatoon and after finishing she taught at Lake Four School.  This must have been a challenge for an 18-year-old teacher in a one room school with Grades 1 to 12. Coming home for the summer she met Gordon at a dance, after his sister Margaret urged Ruth to ask him to dance. They were married in November, 1945 and farmed south of Bounty.  Mom was very involved in the community: Bounty Fair, curling, choir, UCW and Eastern Star. We all have recollections of Ruth speeding down the gravel road to get to an event on time!

In 1972, when they retired from farming, Ruth and Gordon moved to Saskatoon.  They spent their retirement years travelling between Wakaw Lake and Mesa, Arizona accompanied by their little dog Benji.  Ruth loved to travel and was thrilled to travel to Europe where she was able to see her Swedish ancestry and meet new relatives. Following Gordons death, Ruth moved back to Saskatoon where she continued to be active, involved in Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents, her husband Gordon Fearnside, her siblings; Astrid (Ken) Barr, Roy (Cheryl) Halen, Ann (Seb) Froh, infant Dorothy Halen, Vi (John) Hanson, John (Eunice) Halen and her brother-in-law, Reg Bell.  Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Terry (Brian) Sinclair; her granddaughters Jackie Sinclair, Jodie (Deon) Sinclair and Alison (Mike) Mowery; her great grandchildren Keegan, Jordan, Brayden and Ty; her sister-in-law Margaret Bell and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth loved to golf, sing, dance and have a good time. Her nieces and nephews referred to her as the “Fun Aunt”.  She loved her grandchildren and their summers at the lake were filled with friends, cards, games, campfires and lasting memories.  We will all remember her free spirit and contagious laugh. Her long journey with dementia couldn’t stop those twinkling blue eyes and wonderful smile, as they were with her to the end.  We will miss you Mom, Grandma, Auntie Rufus.

A special thank you to Warman Mennonite Special Care Home and Porteous Lodge where Ruth spent her last years.  You showed her such love and kindness.  In memory of Ruth, if desired, please direct donations to Warman Mennonite Special Care Home (201 Centennial Blvd, Warman) or Porteous Lodge (833 Ave P North, Saskatoon).

Internment at Hillcrest Cemetery will follow at a later date.