Passed peacefully away at the Blue Crest Nursing Home in Grand Bank on Friday, May 13, 2011, Ruth Matthews of Burin in her 78th year. Predeceased by her parents, Theodore and Annetta Bandfield and sister Audrey Billiard and husband Jack. Also brother-in-law Reginald Cheeseman. Left to mourn her husband Ephraim and son Thomas; sisters: Lorraine Billiard and husband Jack of Sudbury, Ella Cheeseman of Burin, Marguerite Keizer and husband Donald of Powell River, B.C., Barbara Warenchuk and husband Paul of Edmonton, AB; brother Rodney Bandfield and wife Alice of Burgeo; sisters-in-law: Millie Dawe of Burgeo, Mary Miller and husband Eugene of Maryland; brother-in-law Edgar Matthews and wife Ruth of St. John’s. Also, a large circle of other relatives and friends. In 2004 Ruth was awarded the Governor General of Canada Caring Award for community service. She was also the recipient of an Arts Council Award for her dedication to reviving traditional Newfoundland dances and her group, The Penney Dancers, performed several times at the Bannerman Park Folk Festival. She was also well known and loved in Burin for the character of “Aunt Jen” which she created and performed at concerts many times. The family wishes to acknowledge the staff at Blue Crest Nursing Home for the professional care she received. Cremation has taken place. Inurnment to take place at Serenity Funeral Home, Burin at a later date. No flowers by request. Donations in her memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.