Ruth Anna Marvin

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ruth Anna Marvin, at the age of 72, on February 24th, 2019 at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington, Ontario.
Ruth was an extremely strong woman and when she was recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma she was ready to take this challenge head-on like so many other challenges in her life. Unfortunately, complications arose that resulted in an admission to the hospital and Ruth eventually succumbing to illness brought on by the underlying cancer.
During Ruth’s time in the hospital, she was heartened by your thoughts, prayers and well wishes which were very helpful to her during this initial diagnosis. Ruth was surrounded by loved ones during this period; even as she lost consciousness family attended to show her our support and continued to pass along the words of loved ones that were unable to visit.
Ruth was born in Port Hope Ontario, living on the family farm until her marriage in 1968, when she moved to "the North" in Sault Ste. Marie. Growing up on the farm, working in the fields with a team of horses, picking apples, showing Aberdeen Angus cattle in the 4-H club at fall fairs, riding and training horses, singing in the church choir, running track and playing in the orchestra at high school, she very early in her life adopted a strong work ethic, love for animals and music, and a devotion to family values and community service.
Ruth will live on in the memories of all the people she has positively impacted. Through her dedication to public service as a librarian for many years, and as a leader and trainer for Boy Scouts Canada for almost her entire adult life, "Raindrop" inspired, by example, youth and adults alike to be honest, hardworking, dedicated, curious and fun-loving. Her silly and adventurous side had her wearing a Beaver costume in parades, making crafts, explaining ‘scat' to Scouts, marvelling over birdsongs and animal tracks and singing around campfires. Years later adults would go to the library for books and address her as Raindrop. She exemplified the Scout motto: BE PREPARED which means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY.

Special occasions never passed without Ruth's friends and family receiving a card in the mail, a gift or a phone call, sometimes all three. Always thinking of others, Ruth was known for her random acts of kindness, many of which were actually anonymous in nature. She was a force of positivity for those lucky enough to have known her.
Ruth had many, many passions. She loved to travel, the highlights of her travel life being her adventures to Greece and to France for a war-themed tour. She was a collector of coins, stamps, rocks and minerals, inspirational quotes, and also a researcher of family and world war history. She was a life-long learner, always growing and encouraging the rest of us to come along for the ride. Horses have always been a particular love and she was thrilled when her niece and two grandchildren developed the same passion. She loved northern Ontario, the outdoors, gardening and her time at a family cottage. Swimming, hours of swimming, has always been important for Ruth. In recent years her television watching favourites supported her interests of Canadian horse show jumping, figure skating, Olympic coverage, history and especially Canadian military history.
Ruth will be remembered as a loving Friend, Sister, Cousin, Aunt, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother by her many close friends and family. Ruth loved her family greatly and was so proud of her three sons and their families: Bryan, his wife Aimee and their children Genevieve and Seraphine, Lyndon, his wife Bree-Anne and their children Leith and Pierce and Davin and his wife Christina and their sons Henry and one-month old baby Oliver.
She will be greatly missed by her siblings and their spouses Joan and Frank, Art and Donna, and June and George, Ruth's five nieces and nephews and their partners, one great-niece, Poppy, and Ruth's first cousins.
Ruth wished to be cremated and wanted a celebration of life. In respect of her wishes, our plan is to hold a celebration of her life April 13th, 2019 at The Mill Restaurant, 990 Ontario St, Cobourg, Ontario K9A 3C7 from 1 until 4 p.m.
In the meantime, we encourage you to light a candle and remember Ruth and some of the good memories you had with her. If you feel inclined, a donation to fight Leukemia & Lymphoma would be appreciated by the family. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada: https://www.llscanada.org/ , feel free to use the “in memory” option.
Mom, we already miss you.