Ruth TATE

RUTH TATE Ruth made the most of her 80 years. She passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Ruth was born in Kamloops, British Columbia to Grace and Jack Coates who raised her and her younger sister, Ann, to value family, education, and music. Ruth spent summers at Shuswap Lake where she had great fun on the water with her gang of friends forging lasting friendships. She could not wait to head off to Vancouver and the University of British Columbia where she studied French language, literature, and teaching. After a year of teaching in Dawson Creek in Northern B.C., the travel bug took Ruth to Europe. She fell in love with Paris where she studied French at the Sorbonne. Back in Canada she chose to settle in Toronto and began a 40-plus year career as a dedicated French teacher. Ruth married Howard Tate, also a UBC graduate, in 1971. Ruth was so proud of their two sons, Brad (Lesya Dacko) and Mark (Victoria Ketteringham); and adored her grandchildren Kiara and Alyssa, and the newest additions Olivia and Owen. She went to most of her sons' hockey games and continued the tradition with Kiara and Alyssa. Ruth would have loved to play hockey herself. Ruth cherished time with her grandchildren, taking them on outings and entertaining them at home, displaying endless energy, attention, and patience. Following a busy family and work life, Ruth and Howard rekindled their interest in bridge. Ruth, a ruby life master, played at the club level and enjoyed bridge cruises and tournaments. She also indulged her passion for reading, discussing books and travelling the world. Ruth loved and valued music. She continued the family tradition of Christmas carol singing and sang in various choirs over the years. Ruth was an RCM certified piano teacher and delighted in sharing her love of piano with her grandchildren. Friendship was important to Ruth, and she tried to stay connected to her many neighbours, good friends from school, university, teaching, and other activities. She made and maintained many deep and lasting friendships because she was kind, unassuming, an excellent listener and provider of great advice. As a wife, sister, mother, grandmother, friend, and colleague, Ruth was a stable and reliable support that will leave a hole that can never be filled. She will be missed more than she could ever have imagined. Ruth requested that any memorial donations be made to the Toronto Public Library at: donate.tplfoundation.ca. A celebration of life for Ruth will be held on Saturday, February 24th between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at 205 Glengarry Ave., Toronto, ON, M5M 1E3.