It is with great sadness that we
announce the passing of our beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma, aunty and
sister, Marie. Born into the Ruddell
family on May 14, 1928 in Calgary, Alberta, she moved to Kamloops a short time
later. Graduating from Kamloops Secondary school, Marie attended Teachers
College in Victoria and held her first teaching job in Chase. She applied for a teaching position in
Smithers and taught at Muheim Elementary.
While living in Smithers, she met her love and future husband, Lawrence
Thistle. They were married for 59 wonderful years and lived in Smithers for 50
of them where they raised their family.
She loved teaching, and worked at St. Joseph’s Elementary school and finished
her teaching career at Walnut Park Elementary school. Full of energy, mom would
often ride her bike to school. While in Smithers, Marie
was active in many community groups, the Catholic Women’s League, the Royal
Purple and the Arthritis society. She always had a welcoming smile and a
helping hand. She volunteered countless hours on numerous committees and held
positions on their executives.
Mom
loved to garden and planted huge
vegetable and flower gardens. She particularly loved her flowers including the
many colours of her pansies. She had many friends in the
community, and enjoyed line dancing, being on a bowling league, and golfing
with friends. Marie was excited by
adventure and the world and she and Lawrence
travelled extensively, seeing many different countries, and immersing
themselves in many cultures. Marie, loved being a Grandma, often spending
summers travelling around the provinces to see her grandchildren or having grandchildren spend a couple of weeks
visiting. They would be treated to swimming lessons, camping trips, summer
activities, stories and of course, being spoiled. All of her children and grandchildren
loved her cookies, squares and desserts. Many of them have her recipes and make
them for those special holidays!
When Marie and Lawrence moved back to
Kamloops in 1999, they lived in Westsyde. Never one to be idle, Marie,
continued to be active in her community groups and joined a walking group who
hiked all over the hills in Westsyde. Following the passing of her beloved
Lawrence in 2010, Marie eventually moved to Kamloops Senior Village. While
living there, she continued her interest in volunteering and for a period of
time, was the President of the Residents society.
Marie will be deeply missed by her
children, Laurie, James ( Francine), Patrick (Anita) Karen ( Bryan). Her 11
Grandchildren and 18 Great Grandchildren, numerous Nieces and Nephews and her
brother, John Ruddell. She was
predeceased by her husband Lawrence, parents, Alice and Harry Ruddell, brothers, Jim, Fred
and Terry Ruddell.
Every day, our Mom demonstrated
love and thoughtfulness to us all. She had a great sense of humour, loved a
good laugh and had a wonderful sense of adventure. While she had high
expectations for herself, she had nothing but tolerance, acceptance, and love
for her family. We all knew that we were deeply loved. She will be greatly
missed.
Friends and family wishing to pay
their respects are invited to St John Vianney’s Parish for mass on Friday,
February 14 2020 at 11:30 am. Following the service tea will be served at St
John Vianney’s hall. There will be a second service in Smithers and internment
will follow in the Smithers Cemetery, Smithers BC. in March. Details to be
announced at a later date. . In lieu of
flowers, please send donations to the Royal Inland Hospital, 311 Columbia St
Kamloops BC. The family is very grateful for the care and support from the
staff at the Kamloops Senior Village, and the staff on 5 North at the Royal
Inland Hospital, special thanks to Doctor Gorman for his excellent care and her
many friends and community members.
