Ruth McDougall

Ruth McDougall of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Tuesday November 1, 2022.  She leaves to mourn her husband of 62 years Hugh, her children Chris McDougall (Dorothy Verkaik), Catherine Van Hyfte (Brian) also dearly missed by daughter-in-law Colleen McDougall; and her grandchildren Kristen Van Hyfte, Clayton Van Hyfte, Hannah McDougall and Jillian McDougall as well as her sisters Dorothy Arner (Douglas), Muriel Armstrong (late Howard) and her nieces and nephews.

Ruth was born 83 years ago to the late Nelson & Mavis (Hope) Armstrong and was raised in the Merlin area.  As a child, she shared a special bond with her grandmother who she credited as having a strong spiritual guidance.  Maybe it was her grandmother’s influence that created such a kind and caring heart, or maybe it was there right from the start, but it wouldn’t have surprised anyone when Ruth set her sights on becoming a Registered Nurse, a career that would allow her to help people.  Following her graduation from the Public General Hospital School of Nursing in 1961, she worked for a time at the Golden Acres Nursing Home in Guilds.  From 1981 – 2003 she held the position of Administrator at the Blenheim Community Village.  For two years of that time, she also oversaw the operations at the Village on the Ridge in Ridgetown.  When she retired, she volunteered at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for another seventeen years, because she wanted to continue making a difference in the world.  One of her favourite quotes came from the bible: 1 Peter 4:10 which she paraphrased “Use your God given talents to serve one another”.  She was a true example of that.

Ruth appreciated the beauty of the world and the miracle of life.  She loved her family and her friends, especially her long-time childhood friend Joy King.  She was proud of the life that she shared with Hugh and she was proud of her children and grandchildren, wishing them only the best.

A Celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Saturday November 19, 2022 from 2:00 – 5:00 at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.  Words of remembrance will be shared at 3:00 p.m.  Family and friends wishing to remember Ruth with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Blenheim Baptist Church where she was a member for many years.

In the words of her favourite Johnny Reid song…”May the sun shine on your shoulders, may luck and love be your friends, for now, always, forever, ‘til we meet again”.

To view a video tribute of Ruth’s life, click on this link:  https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/9C94D6PPHLHMPZZZ