RUTH MERKLEY

1940 - 2024

Ruth Mary Ellen Merkley passed away peacefully into the presence of the Lord at home on April 4, 2024. Ruth was born to Ken and Eunice Merkley on October 17, 1940. She was raised on the family farm in Murillo and attended School Section #4 on John Street Road. Ruth attended and graduated from Fort William Collegiate Institute.

After high school, Ruth toyed with the idea of becoming a window dresser at the major department stores in Fort William. But being a practical person, she wisely accepted an offer of employment as an engineering clerk from Bell Canada. At the time of her retirement from Bell Canada on March 31, 2002, she had approximately 33-years of service. For the next 22-years, she referred to her pension as her "permanent vacation pay."

Ruth had many hobbies and interests, including knitting, sewing and dress making, gardening, and watching figure skating. One of her biggest passions in life was collecting and reading books. At the time of her passing that collection consisted of thousands of books relating to the royal family, gardening, nature, wildlife, homes, and architecture. She was always buying her favourite magazines and reading several books. As well, Ruth also always had at least one cat kicking about her residence because she believed cats are absolute necessities.
Ruth remained active in retirement. She went on trips to The Netherlands, Churchill, Israel, Greece, and Newfoundland. For several years, Ruth was a volunteer driver with the Cancer Society. She was also very active in the Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Matron and District Deputy Grand Matron. At the time of her passing, Ruth was looking forward to receiving her pin for 50-years of membership.

Faith and church were a defining aspect of Ruth's life. After being raised in the United Church, she joined the Anglican Church of Canada as a young woman and remained a member until her passing. For many years, Ruth was active in the Anglican Church Women at both the parish and deanery levels. She also served for many years as both a lay reader and Eucharistic assistant. During and after the pandemic Ruth frequently worshipped with her son Andrew at Lakehead Baptist Church.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents Ken and Eunice Merkley and her younger sister Verna Merkley. Ruth is survived by her sons Mark (Angie) Bickmore of Ottawa and Andrew Bickmore of Thunder Bay. Ruth is also survived by her grandchildren Miriam, Callia, and Kaden Bickmore of Ottawa, and her sisters Alice (Laird) Morrison of Thunder Bay, and Jean Henshell of St. Joseph's Island.

Visitation with the family of the late Ruth Mary Ellen Merkley will be held at Jenkens Funeral Home, 226 Syndicate Avenue South, between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The funeral service officiated by the Rev. Gordon Holroyd of St. Paul's Anglican Church will be held at Jenkens Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Lunch followed by internment in the family plot at Stanley Hill Cemetery will occur immediately after the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Northern Cancer Fund, Northern Hearts, or the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (Anglican Church of Canada) would be appreciated.

On line condolences may be offered at: www.jenkens-funeral.ca