Ruth Edith BLISHEN

BLISHEN, Ruth Edith (nee Popkin)
February 4, 1922 - May 8, 2014

Ruth Blishen, loving and much loved wife of Bernard Blishen for 67 years, died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, May 8, 2014. Ruth was an exceptional mother to Jennifer Blishen (Tom Barber), Joan MacMillan (Hugh MacMillan), Susan Blishen (John Speyer) and Peter Blishen (Lisa Burke). She was 'Nana' to 7 loving grandchildren: Nicholas Barber, Christopher Barber (Mary Stewart), Niamh Riordan, Michael Riordan, Caitlyn Blishen, Kieran Blishen, Don MacMillan and one much adored great-grandson Moxley Barber. Ruth was a dear sister and friend to Elaine Hagarty (Popkin) of London, Ontario and Auntie Ruthie to Elaine's 6 children.Ruth was born in Brandon, Manitoba and raised in London, Ontario. She excelled at school and completed her Honours B.A. from the University of Western Ontario. During the war, Ruth was a WREN with the Royal Canadian Navy. It was during this time that she met Bernard. Ruth and Bernard were married in 1947 and moved to Montreal where Ruth completed her Masters Degree in Social Work at McGill University. Her first career was as an Adoption Worker at the Children's Aid Society in Montreal. Ruth and Bernard began their family while residing in Ottawa, New York City and Vancouver, finally settling in Peterborough, Ontario in 1964. Ruth spent many years as the Chair of the Social Services Department at Sir Sanford Fleming College. Upon retiring Ruth donated her time and energy to the volunteer sector. She was involved with such organizations as the Peterborough Hospice and the United Way. Her efforts were recognized when she received the Queen's Jubilee medal. After retirement, Ruth and Bernard had many happy times travelling the globe with family and friends. For Ruth, family was everything. She enjoyed nothing more than summers at the cottage surrounded by those she loved. Poetry and Music were her constant companions. Most mornings (and evenings) Ruth could be heard singing along with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Jane Morgan and Barbra Streisand (with the occasional bit of Peter, Paul and Mary thrown in). Despite her numerous health challenges over the past few years, Ruth always made the effort to keep in touch with her friends and to warmly greet all those she met with her beautiful smile. Ruth was a caring, kind and brave woman. She will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched. Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Research Society or the University of Western Ontario.Family and friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O'Connor) on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel on Thursday, May 15 at 11:30 a.m.
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