Ruth Wilson Burwash

was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta and lived in Webb, SK. The family then moved to Dapp, in northern Alberta. Ruth’s mother, Carrie Louise, worked as a schoolteacher and took her two young children, Ruth and her older brother, Charles, from small prairie town to small prairie town. When Ruth was in high school, Louise took a teaching position in Athabasca, Alberta. This is where Ruth would meet Ronald Burwash, a young teacher from Edmonton. Following completion of high school, Ruth opened “Ruth’s Dress Shop” in downtown Athabasca. She later completed a nursing degree at the University of Alberta, and in 1952, married Ron. The couple moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Ruth worked as a private duty nurse, and Ron completed a PhD. In June 1953, their first child was born. They returned to Canada, where they had two more children, and Ron became a professor at the University of Alberta. Once the children were in school, Ruth returned to university and earned a degree in English with a minor in Geology. This stood her in good stead as the editor of many technical papers as well as her own creative writing. Ruth worked for several years as a historic interpreter at the Royal Alberta Museum. She was proud of her work supporting the committee that established the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller. Ruth and Ron had the opportunity to live in Aberdeen, Scotland, in Perth, West Australia, and in Ottawa. Later they enjoyed travels to Europe, the Pacific and S.E. Asia.

Ruth was an adventuresome designer, lover of bright flowers, a skilled seamstress who taught her daughters to always feel the fabric, and a wordsmith extraordinaire. She loved to learn, and her sly wit made her an astute observer of life and gifted storyteller. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, a devoted daughter and sister, a good friend, and an active member of her church and community.

She is survived by her daughter Dr. Susan Burwash (John Vellacott), son Brock (Kathryn), daughter Beth (Doug Nelson), grandchildren Grace, Adam (Megan), Jocelyn (Nickolas), Murray, Lindsay (Shreyas), Lauren, and great-grandchildren Luke, Hannah, Isaiah, Athena and Atticus. Her caregiver over the past six years, Bola Awolusi, made her life immeasurably better in many, many ways, for which the family is so grateful. Should you wish to make a donation in memory of Ruth, donations to the Ronald & Ruth Burwash Scholarship Fund at the University of Alberta or to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family.

The family invite you to join us in a Celebration of Life, remembering Ruth and sharing the connections we have with each other because of her.

Place: St. Paul’s United Church, 11526 – 76 Ave NW, Edmonton

Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Time: 1 PM, Rev. Dr. Catherine MacLean officiating. Reception to follow in the Friendship Room adjacent to the chapel