Ruby Arlene Roy

My precious Mother: Thank you for waiting for me so we could spend two special hours together before you went to be with your darling husband and my Dad, Milford. Your courage and strength since your first day in hospital last October 31 humbled me and also inspires me to confidently face my challenges.

You can see my tears of joy as I think of your reunion with Dad, your mother, Hilda (Guest) Wolfe whom you thought of so often and your father, William Wolfe; your sisters, Ethel, Kathleen and Vera, and your brothers, Archie, Donald, Harold, Kenneth, Raymond, Willie, and the dear one lost at birth.

I and your daughter-in-law, Oxana love and miss you so much, as do your sisters, Dorothy Wolfe and Margaret Wolfe (Halifax), your brother, Forest Wolfe (Diligent River), and sisters-in-law, Jessie Wolfe (Western Head), Joan Tiffany (Farmington, Utah), Lillian Wyer (Greenfield) and Mary Jane Wolfe (Diligent River).

You overcame the challenges of your early years in Western Head to become the beautiful bride brought to your love Milford by your brother Forest on July 23, 1960. You and Dad built a life based on love, respect, trust, hard work and serving others. Your talents were a blessing in your service with the Department of National Defense and later as Secretary of the RCMP Veteran’s Association Ladies Auxiliary.

Your commitment, passion and ability as a Bridge player and later as an accomplished Square Dancer, which you and Dad enjoyed together for many years were inspirational to witness and experience. Your loving nature flowed forth and blessed the lives of our dear cats whom you loved and cared for so deeply (Cuddles, Chippy, Sandy, Sheena, Angel). Another gift we were blessed with was your passion for and ability at keeping our homes so clean.

We are grateful to Doctors Rideout and Hanna and the Nurses and staff of Unit 8.1 at the QE II who gifted you and I with care and compassion since your first day there on November 3, after spending three days in Emergency Department. They were special companions on the final part of your struggle with Parkinson ’s Disease. I will always remember the words of Dr. Rideout during his visit on Thursday, December 29 when he said “She’s surprised us all.” From initial prognosis of a few days that transformed into almost 10 weeks! Every moment of that time you met with patience and courage. You always showed your love for me and for your family, even in your times of the most intense pain. Those who wish to recognize and honour you can make a donation to an organization such as Parkinson’s Canada.

Dear Mom: These few words are all I can offer at this time to tell you how grateful I am for the love and support you gave to me since God blessed me with you as my Mother. Thank you for showing us how important your mother, Hilda, your husband and my dad Milford, me your son Jeffrey and the rest of your family were and are to you. Thank you for the courage you showed while dealing with such painful health problems. Thank you for your wish that we always stay together, love and support each other. Thank you for your rare gift of unconditional forgiveness; whenever I asked you why you forgave me for something you always said, “Because you are my baby.” Thank you for the time we shared together before you went to be with Dad. You gave me something that will stay with me and give me courage and strength the rest of my life. Enjoy your time with Dad. I know you and Dad are preparing for the time when we will be together again. God has blessed me with you, my perfect Mother. I love you always. Your son, Jeffrey