Ruth Marie (Clarke) Barrie - Truro, formerly of Halifax and Port Hawkesbury, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at The Mira Long Term Care Centre, where she has been loved and well looked after by "The Girls" for the last three years. Born July 23, 1935, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, she was the daughter of the late Cecil Frederick and Martha Evelyn (Chisholm) Clarke.
After many travels Mom spent most of her life in Port Hawkesbury where she worked at Bank of Montreal and later part-time at TD Canada Trust. Mom was most happy when she was continuing to enrich her mind and while she worked full time and raised four children, she took evening classes at St. F.X. University towards her Business Degree. Every morning she could be found with her cup of tea and the Cryptoquote puzzle; she would even stop and take time to do her girl’s hair into braids. As young children, she loved to dress us in hand made sweaters and dresses. You could hear the lovely piano music from our windows as she would sit and play whenever she had a minute. In 1974, Mom took a transfer with Bank of Montreal to Wolfville, where she continued to take courses through Acadia University. By this time her two older children were out on their own so Mom and her two youngest explored fruit stands and craft stores, making any craft that was the current rage.
All this time Ken Barrie was courting and on January 25, 1975, Mom married her true love and moved back to Port Hawkesbury. They were active members of St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury Curling Club, Dundee Golf Course and eventually The Evergreen Club. As a couple they made many new friends with whom they enjoyed barbecues, music, dances, social life and a few bus tours. Tole painting took over, Mom’s being the most beautiful many have ever seen. So Ken became the woodcutter and Mom the tole painter and our homes were filled with beautiful pieces. She even came out of her natural shyness and taught painting lessons. Eventually they sold Ken’s Appliance Repair and their home and relocated to the busy life in Halifax. Although Ken was battling cancer at this time, they had a few great years of Neptune Theatre, fine dining and making new friends at Rockingham United Church. Quilting became the new passion and she made quite a few all quilted by hand. The loss of her husband Ken was very hard for Mom, but after a time she began to connect with her friends from Rockingham United Church.
Two weeks before Mom’s 75th birthday, she was lucky enough to be able to make The Mira in Truro her new home. She enjoyed the activities, road trips, music and dancing during her first few years there. Mom’s piano music filled the halls and was enjoyed by residents and staff alike. She even forgot to be shy and played the hymns at church when the organist couldn’t come. Ruth’s family will be ever so grateful to all the kind and wonderful staff of The Mira who were so good to her; it was like she had many new daughters. Thanks to the girls who took their breaks and had tea parties in Mom’s room and to all the girls who let Mom spend the night out of her room with them when she couldn’t sleep. Words alone cannot express the wonderful care our Mom received. Thank you for bringing Mom to the phone almost every day during their busy shifts so her family and friends could call and keep in touch.
Ruth is survived by her children, Brian (Marilyn) Williams, Fall River; Dianne (Bernie) McKinnon Bracebridge, Ontario; Susan (Michael) Tubrett, Antigonish; Carolyn (Jimmy) Embree, Southampton, United Kingdom; grandchildren, Stuart (Erin), Shaun (Jen), Cody (Amanda), Katelyn (Mike), Vicki; great grandchildren, Lily, Cameron. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her loving husband who was our special angel, Kenneth W. Barrie; brother, Ted Clarke. Thank you Mom for all you have done for us we will always love and miss you.
Ruth was placed with her beloved Ken in Crossroads Cemetery, Valley, during a private interment service conducted by Reverend Allen Darby. If so desired, donations in Ruth’s memory to The Recreation Fund (The Mira) or Alzheimer Society are welcomed. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Ruth’s obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
"Together Forever"