Ruth (nee Alderman) Watkin was born at the Ottawa Grace Hospital, June 15th, 1924. Her parents were, Majors Lulu Elizabeth and Herbert Stanley Alderman, officers who were stationed at many corps throughout Ontario. Her formative years were spent in Belleville, Ontario.
In 1941 when her father was in charge of the Red Shield in Sussex, N.B. she ran the small canteen in the military hospital. At 17 yrs. of age she came to Windsor Grace Hospital to study to be a Lab Technician. After two years, she moved to Toronto to work at the Grace Hospital. She dedicated her life to full-time service and entered Training College and was commissioned as an officer in the Challenger Session, graduating in 1945. Sadly, her Father passed away just two weeks after she entered Training College.
She met, and four years later married Fred Watkin while he was attending University in London, Ontario. They returned to Officership after university with a young daughter and had five more children over the next 12 years. They were appointed to Collingwood, Long Branch, Chatham, Hamilton, Halifax, London, Toronto Training College, Brampton, Edmonton as the Divisional Secretary for a year and finished their officership in the Education Department in Toronto.
Ruth and Fred retired in 1989 in their own home on Lake Couchiching and wintered in Florida for 13 years until Fred had a stroke. They moved to Sutton-by-the-Lake to be closer to family and friends where they enjoyed being part of the Georgina Corps for eight years. In November 2010, they moved to the Meighen Retirement Residence in Toronto. Ruth lived amongst friends there for the past 11 years.
Ruth devoted her life to working with people and was always helping to meet the needs of others. She facilitated womens’ groups for many years even after she retired. She was very creative and painted over fifty- five oil canvases later in life. She will be missed by her family, Joan (David), Lyn (Ken), Jay, Fred (Pam) and Sharon (Max), and 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and seven great- great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her eldest daughter, Beth, who passed away in London in 1965 and her husband Fred, in 2012, after 64 years of marriage.
The family would like to thank the staff of The Meighen Retirement Residence who worked so hard to keep Covid out and to keep Mom comfortable.
In lieu of visitation and flowers, please donate to The Meighen Retirement Residence at 84 Davisville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. Donation can be made by following the link: https://salvationarmy.ca/donation-map/
You are invited to join the Memorial Service on Sunday, September 27th, 2020 at 3:00p.m. via zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85134476269