Ruthann “Ruth” Whelehan

With heavy hearts, we share the news of Ruthann (Ruth) Whelehan’s passing on December 31, 2024, at the age of 81. Born in 1943, Ruth was a woman of deep love and created special memories with everyone in her life, leaving a lasting impression on those who knew her.

Ruth held her family dearly and found pride in each of them. She was the beloved mother of Donna, Lisa, and David; grandmother to Joshua, Sarah, Michael, Matthew, Alyssa, Cynthia, and Dominic; and great-grandmother to Sonny, Ida, and Hailie. Her family extended out to the partners of her children and grandchildren, including Silvia, Geoff, Lee, Natalie, Jenna, Rob, James, and Zack, as well as step-grandchildren, including Sam and Alex. She also shared many moments with members of her former boyfriend Ernie Martel’s family. 

She was predeceased by her parents Hazel (MacDonald) and Edward T. Whelehan, her siblings Edward S., Doug (Jesse), Margaret, Robert (Bob), and Susan. Some surviving cousins include Gwendolyne Cameron and Bob Hart.

She held fond memories of her many nieces and nephews: Denine, Lisa, Shawn, Andrew, Kevin, Bobby (Robert), and Michelle (Mish), along with Robin, Kevin, and Jamie.

Ruth shared a special connection with her lifelong friends Sadie, Susan, Audrey, Spike, Gerda, and Ram, as well as her long-time friends Dawn, Kosta, Carol, Denis, Christopher, and Diane. Countless other friends, colleagues, and loved ones whose lives she touched, including many who have already passed and others too numerous to name, will forever hold her memory close.

The family offers a special thank-you to Brian for the extraordinary care and attention he devoted to Ruth in her final years, ensuring she was surrounded by kindness and love.

In a final act of generosity, Ruth, without hesitation, donated her body to the University of Ottawa’s Body Bequeathal Program for the advancement of medicine through medical education and research.

She will be remembered as a woman who loved her family deeply, enjoyed travel, cherished her friends, loved her daughter Lisa’s many animals whom she treated as her own, and brought humor, warmth, and quiet strength to those around her.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who shared in Ruth’s journey. A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 641, located at 3500 Fallowfield Road, Nepean, Ontario (near the intersection of Woodroffe Avenue and Fallowfield Road). Light refreshments will be served, and attire is casual. Friends and family are invited to join in honoring Ruth and sharing memories of her remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, and as a personal choice, consider donating to any of the following organizations, which represent parts of Ruth’s life journey, experiences, and interests: 

• The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County
• Hospice Care Ottawa
• Kauai Humane Society 
• Interval House Ottawa
• Ottawa Heart Institute