Ruth Lorraine Anderson Donovan
Ruth Lorraine Anderson Donovan passed away on September 22, 2023 in Edmonton at age 73.
On November 20, 1950, Ruth was born in Carnduff, Saskatchewan to her much-loved parents, Margaret and Garnet, and grew up on the family farm. She and her sister Dace were particularly close, providing each other with mutual love and support throughout their lives.
In 1965 Ruth moved to Saskatoon and studied art at the University of Saskatchewan. In her career as an educator, she taught junior high art, high school English, and later visual art classes at the Art Gallery of Alberta. She also wrote and shared her poetry throughout her life. She was a founding member of Edmonton’s Stroll of Poets and served on its board for six years, and was also a member of the “Living Room” poetry group for three decades. She was deeply committed to her faith and was a Reader for the Christian Science congregation.
Ruth leaves behind her husband Larry, nephews Jonathan Wiersma, Winston Anderson, niece Nara Munro (née Anderson) and great nieces Inverness and Ada. She was predeceased by parents Margaret Lorraine Anderson (née Cryderman) and James Garnet Anderson, sister Dace Wiersma (née Anderson), brother David Anderson and faithful pet Smokey. Ruth also leaves many friends with memories of her supportive kindness, love for the prairies, and her passion for creativity.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held on May 4, 2024 at 2 p.m., at Trinity Funeral Home, 10530 - 116 St. NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 3L7, Phone 780-474-4663.
Service live streamed at: LiveStreamRuthDonovan
In lieu of flowers, financial donations in Ruth’s memory can be made to: The Stroll of Poets Society (https://www.strollofpoets.com) and Wayside House (https://www.waysidehousevictoria.org).
In the heart of the prairie, where the skies stretch wide,
And the wind whispers secrets, in a gentle stride,
There lived an artist, with a soul so true,
Capturing the essence of the boundless view.
You will be missed Cousin Ruth and much love to family and friends
My condolences to the family! Although of a different faith, Ruth was such a great spiritual mentor and guide. She was the epitome of grace. I miss our talks overlooking the river valley.
Ruth had such a gift of making people feel cared for with her warmth, and generous, welcoming presence. I am so grateful to have had her in my life.
Friendship?
A Schrödinger twist,
A door to be opened,
Unknown but exists.
Ruth is loved and missed.
The times we spent together at the Christian Science library, and the gift
of your presence, introducing me to the Christian Science Monitor, and our mutual interest in spiritual studies, will comfort me, Ruth. Reading poetry
together, laughter and smiling eyes, animated interest in people, situations
and possibility in all things- priceless. A fond farewell, see you!
Ruth was a very beautiful soul and gone too soon.
You are ever loved and missed dear Ruth.
Ruth was a true guide, wise mentor, and faithful friend. She showed me to follow my passion and said that money would follow. She was so right. She showed me to live in kindness even when there was a lot to mourn and be angry about. She was right. She showed me to guide others in ways that I was not guided, rising above what came before. She was right. Ruth was in service to humankind, animals and all living things.
Ruth is loved, missed and will always be remembered.
Ruth was a very caring person and a pleasure to talk with. She had many stories to share and had a lovely voice. She is definitely missed.
Ruth will be very missed. I’m leaving a little poem here by Emily Dickinson, that Ruth might have liked.
To make a prairie – 1779
To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few.
So sorry that we have lost dear Ruth, a creative force and a very sweet soul. Ruth loved the arts and artists and always had a kind word for others.