Jan. 3, 1926 – June 13, 2010
Ruth Winifred Way died in Calgary on June 13, 2010, at the age of 84. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Archdeacon J. William (Bill) Way in 1988.
Ruth was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in Calgary, the daughter of the third Anglican Bishop of Calgary, the Rt. Rev. H. Richard and Mrs. Winifred Ragg. She and Bill lived in several communities in western Canada including Carbon, Brooks, Chilliwack, Calgary, Medicine Hat and Innisfail. Ruth moved back to Calgary in 2004.
Ruth was a committed and practicing Anglican all her life and shared her gifts and creative nature through Sunday school with numerous crafts for the children. She also wrote many pageants for the theatrical talents of the children and assisted Bill in bringing memorable lessons in his talks to children.
Ruth will be remembered for her artistic flare; most members of the family and many of her friends have ceramics, paper toll or folk-art works created lovingly by Ruth in her basement studio. She also shared her talents with many others through classes in those same studios. Ruth had a “punny” sense of humour and enjoyed a good laugh with friends and family.
Ruth is survived by a loving family including her sons Philip (Karen) of Bezanson, AB, Richard (Patricia) and Brian (Janice) both of Calgary; daughter Nora of Medicine Hat; six grandchildren Jennifer (Bradley), Brandi (Micheal), Daniel, Ryan (Samantha), Matthew (Christina), Heather (Justin), and one great-grandson Alexander; one brother, Rev. Canon H.I.G. (Ben) Ragg (Victoria BC). She is also survived by sister-in-law, Dorothy Ragg (Ottawa, ON), brother-in-law, Austin Lee (Victoria, BC) and many nieces and nephews in Canada, England and U.S. who have remembered Ruth through many childhood and adult adventures with the Way family.
A service in thanksgiving for Ruth’s life was held at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Calgary (2828 - 19th Street N.W.) on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 2 PM. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be given directly in Ruth’s name to your local Anglican parish, The Anglican Diocese of Calgary or to the Dr. Nora Way Scholarship Endowment at Medicine Hat College. To email expressions of sympathy: ccl@hffs.com, subject heading: Ruth Way.
HERITAGE FUNERAL SERVICES
Calgary Crematorium Chapel (403) 299-0111