My Grandmother Ruth Arlene Portman; a resident of Dawson Creek, was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on July 11th 1929.
She was the third child of five. Her parents were Lillian and Willard Graham.
Ruth grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at the time of the depression and ended up going to school with Gordi Howe. She attended King George School and later attended Bedford Collegiate.
My grandmother was a caring, active and charitable woman. She will always be remembered for her numerous volunteer positions; such as The Independent Order of Foresters, Nawican Friendship Centre, Native Housing, The Rebeccas, The Elks and the director for the Northern Lights Community Charitable gaming association since its formation in 2011. One year she was nominated for Citizen of the Year.
Ruth was very proud of her siblings. Her two older brothers; Herb and George, especially for their services in the Second World War. George won the DFC award and Herb served in the Merchant Marines.
Family was important to my grandmother and she worked hard to support everyone. She worked numerous secretarial jobs and owned a flower shop, but was best known in Dawson for selling Avon and filing tax returns.
In her spare time she loved to play card games, Bingo and bowling. Every Sunday for most of my childhood she would come to the house to do laundry. She would almost always bring cake and play Yatzee.
My grandma was a very open and honest person. If she had an opinion, you knew about it. She had this uncanny ability to see the good in everyone even when all those around her would tell her differently. When I was a child, I wanted to spend all my time with her. I admired her greatly and as I grew into the adult I am now, I never stopped. She was strong and kind and I hope she knew how much we all loved her, how much I looked up to her, and how admired and loved she was by everyone in this room.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband Allen, her brothers George, Herb, Stanley, her sister Shirley and daughter Darlene. She is survived by her children; Valerie, Lynn, Colleen, and Roseann; her grandchildren Robert, Justin, Stephen, Allen, Matt, Marcie, Nikki, Jade, Devin, Lindsay and numerous great grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on May 26th 2014 and was officiated by Cory Lizotte at the Bethel Pentecostal Church. Interment followed at the Brookside Cemetery, Dawson Creek, BC.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium.