Ruby Pearl Johnston

JOHNSTON, Ruby Pearl – 76, Dutch Settlement, passed away Sunday, February 6, 2011, at Braeside Home for Special Care, Middle Musquodoboit. Born in West Jeddore, she was the first child of the late Eldridge and Nina (Webber) Blakeney. Her first memories were of growing up in a lighthouse in Egg Island. When she came inland she looked after her grandparents and worked in the family store in Elmsdale (Johnston’s). She loved working in the store, where she remembered everyone young to old. She often told stories about the store and the people she saw and met there. She left the store and moved to Dutch Settlement to be closer to family and look after her husband George. She cared for him until he passed away in 1979. It was then that she helped raising her sister’s kids Paul and Tammy. Later on she helped her younger sister Lily Rose raise her son Philip. She would tell everyone that she had three kids. You would never think that we were not hers. She treated us as though we were born to her. She would spoil us and tried to teach us right from wrong. If we did something that we shouldn’t have, we would know it. She always took an interest in what we were into or what we were doing. If we wanted or needed anything we would have it. In her later years when her health was declining, she moved to Braeside. She loved the home, she enjoyed playing bingo doing crafts and when people came in with animals and to sing. She considered the staff and residents as part of her family. She would always talk about everyone and what everyone was up to. She always worried and cared for everyone. She loved animals of any kind but she loved dogs and most of all she loved her cats. All you had to do was visit her to know that. She had cat stuff everywhere. She loved her family and friends the most, you just had to meet her to know how caring and loving she was. She is sadly leaving behind her three kids Paul and Tammy Blakeney, Dutch Settlement; Philip Lawrence, Enfield; grandson “Ace”, step-kids Buddy and Earl Johnston, sisters Colleen Blakeney, Windsor Junction; Myrtle (Stanley) Harris,Latties Brook;Lily (Merrill) Lawrence, Enfield; brothers Earl (Margaret) Blakeney, Dowling, ON.; Lindsay Blakeney, Enfield; Howard (Karen) Blakeney, Bedford; five nieces, seven nephews, many great nieces and great nephews, extended family Ford and Judy Fancy, Dutch Settlement; and Jamie Dillman, Shubenacadie. She was predeceased by her husband George and a brother in infancy. Visitation 2-4 & 6-8pm, Wednesday, with funeral service 11am, Thursday, all in Ettinger Funeral Home, Rev. Patricia McKenna officiating. Ruby and her family wish to give a very special thank-you to Michael Beaver and the staff at Braeside for all you have done for Ruby. You all did a lot more than any of you had to do. It was very much appreciated. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. God Bless.