Ruth Shannon
Born: March 26th, 1943
Passed in: Shannara
Passed on: February 23rd, 2014
It is with profound sadness and heartbreak we announce the passing of our wonderful, caring mother, grandmother, sister and lifelong soul mate, Ruth Shannon on February 23, 2014. She passed away peacefully with her children and husband by her side, at her home and most cherished place, Shannara, in Long Point, Nova Scotia.
“Ruthie” as she was affectionately known, was born in Whitney Pier on March 26, 1943. Her birthmother Mary (McDonald) Cameron passed away when she was only 2 years old. Her father, the late Nevin Cameron (1965), who she greatly loved and admired, remarried Christina Mae Cameron, who raised her and remained a great and warming influence in her life until she passed in 2005.
She was loved and respected by all those who knew her. She left a lifelong impression with just one encounter with her genuine warmth and smile. She was as comfortable at Rideau Hall as she was with her hands full of soil in her garden at Shannara. She was always the classiest lady in the room, her style and grace only being out done by her ability to make those around her feel comfortable and welcomed.
More than anything else, she dedicated her life to her family. She epitomized the saying, “behind every great man stands a great woman”. She was a dedicated and caring wife to Joseph Shannon who together built a strong and loving family. Her children, Joel, Mark (Patti), Bruce, Jennifer (Joe) White and Jason (Kari), adored everything about her and her memories will be with them forever. She was the type of mother who loved her children equally and unequivocally. She provided her family with storybook summers at Long Point with countless visits from friends and relatives all summer long, playing games, eating fresh vegetables from her garden and sipping hot chocolate into the late evenings, ensuring everyone wanted for nothing despite having no electricity or running water.
She loved her grandchildren as if they were her own children. Jessica, Samantha, Kristina, Cameron, Daniel, Mathew, Joseph, Marcus, Ryan, Jarrett, Sarah, Emily, Julia and Gregory have all been blessed with her influence and they will never forget her generosity and their wonderful times with her at Shannara.
She is also survived by her siblings Helen Munro and Rev. Ronald (Jean) Cameron. She was predeceased by her three sisters Margie (Henry) Mackenzie, Evelyn Wood and Marie MacLeod and her brother Buddy Cameron.
Over the years she was supported wonderfully by her physicians, surgeons and nurses. It seemed like she was always the most popular patient in care as they seemed to learn as much from her as she from them. There are too many to mention by name or by unit, however she would like all those who helped over the years to know she was very grateful and the family feels blessed for the time we had with our Mom as a result of their efforts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the Arthritis Society. Visitation will be held at Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville St., Port Hawkesbury on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at the Judique Community Centre on Saturday, March 1st at 11:30 am. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com.
