Ruth Ann Wilton

December 26, 1942 – August 24, 2013

Ruth Ann Wilton passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, August 24 at the Rosedale Hospice, surrounded by her loving family. Ruth Ann was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1942 to John and Catherine Jeannette (nee MacDonald), the first of six children. Early on she developed a love of folk music, particularly the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland. Ruth Ann earned her nursing certificate from the Hotel Dieu of St. Joseph School of Nursing in Windsor in 1963. In 1966, she and an adventurous group of friends headed west to Calgary. In their new apartment, the young nurses quickly became known as ‘the loud girls upstairs.’ Luckily, she was able to charm her downstairs neighbour, Rocke Wilton, when he came up to complain. Ruth Ann and Rocke were married August 21st 1970. In 1974, they moved to Parkdale, where they raised their children, Lisa, Pamela and Scott. Ruth Ann had a long career in geriatric nursing, first at the General Hospital and then at the Brentwood Nursing Home. She was a committed and compassionate nurse, specializing in the care of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. She spent many years caring for patients, allowing them to have comfort and dignity in their last days. We are grateful she received this same high level of care from the nurses and staff on Unit 42 of the Foothills Hospital and at the Rosedale Hospice. Ruth Ann appreciated and participated in the best parts of life in Calgary. She and Rocke took long walks by the Bow River and travelled as a family throughout Kananaskis and the Rockies. She was a dedicated theatregoer and a longtime supporter of ATP and Theatre Calgary. She also attended countless concerts and looked forward to the Calgary Folk Fest every summer. Her radio was permanently tuned to CKUA. She shared this love of the arts with her children and encouraged them to pursue these interests into careers. She is survived by her mother Catherine, cherished sisters Suzanne Woods (Danny) and Michelle Hencher (Jeff), and brother Jim Jeannette (Sue); children Lisa Wilton (Pete), Pamela Haskell (Shawn), and Scott Wilton (Amy) and her beloved grandson Leif Haskell; Sister-in-law Janice Harvey; Nieces Marie and Lauren; Nephews Jason (Natalka), Jon-Michael and Brendan; Honorary grandsons Benjamin and Timothy. She was predeceased by her husband Rocke Wilton in 1999; Father John Milton Jeannette, sister Cathie Jeannette and brother John Jeanette, Mother-in-law Margaret Wilton (nee McLeod), Father-in-law John Wilton and her grand-nephew Isaac. The family appreciates the special support of Ruth Ann’s close friends Anne and Marianne, as well as the kind thoughts and words of many other friends too numerous to mention. A Memorial Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 3:00 p.m., with cremation in care of Foster’s Garden Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rosedale Hospice at 920 - 7A Street N.W., Calgary, AB, T2M 3J3 or the Hospice Calgary Society, 1245 – 70th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2X8.

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial