SCOTSBURN – Ruth Vivian Matheson, 88, Scotsburn, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on October 30, 2009.
Ruth was born in Inverness, Cape Breton, on March 26, 1921, and was the daughter of the late Hector J. and Flora Ann (Moore) MacLean.
She was the second youngest of six children and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Ruth possessed an adventurous spirit which led her at the age of 17 to Boston to live and work with a family for a year. She returned to Pictou where she trained as an electrician and worked at the Pictou Shipyards during WWII. She met her future husband, Aldo, while living in Pictou and subsequently moved to the Matheson homestead in Scotsburn. After raising her children, Ruth fulfilled her dream of nursing and trained as a Nurses Aide. She worked at the Forbes Nursing Home and at Edward Mortimer Place until her retirement in 1985. Ruth was a woman of many interests. She was accomplished in various needle crafts, was an avid reader – especially of the classics, was greatly interested in politics, and was passionate about her flower gardens. Ruth was a long-standing member of Bethel Presbyterian Church and belonged to the AMS and the Bethel Ladies Aid. She participated in numerous charitable organizations over the years, but most noteworthy was the War Amps Society who officially recognized her for more than 50 years of contributions.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 66 years, Aldo (Odd Fellows Home, Pictou); daughters, Carolyn (Andre Audette), Victoria, BC; Cynthia Roy (Randy, deceased), Bedford, NS; son, Tom (Debra), Scotsburn; five grandchildren: David Roy, Marc Audette, Brett, Isaac and Cole Matheson; and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to the caring staff of the VON and to the Newfoundland Ladies.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday in McLaren Funeral Home, 246 Faulkland St., Pictou. Funeral service will be held at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Scotsburn, on Monday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Lara Scholey officiating. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery. A reception in the church basement will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the War Amps of Canada or the Bethel Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.