Ruth Watson

Ruth Mary left this world peacefully on April 15, six months shy of her 100th birthday. The family and staff at Muskoka Traditions were looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday in October but the good Lord welcomed her into her eternal home sooner. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends but cherished memories will live on.

She was predeceased by her father James Corbett and mother Francis Staton, her loving husband of 54 years, Jack (2004), daughter Maureen Ruth (1998) (Michael), brother Howard Corbett and sister-in-law Ruth. She was a devoted, loving mother and will be greatly missed by her three sons Jim (Lynda), Bill (Elisa), Doug (Sue).

She was an adoring nana to 14 grandchildren and will be missed by all of them: Andrea (Chelsey), Brendon (Jenna), Caelan (Jessy), Siobhan (Kirubel), Luke (Ruth Ann), Bruce (Alyssa), Benjamin (Angela), Amanda, Daniel (Meghan), Joshua (Jamie), Christina (Michael), Timothy (Natasha), Erin (Blain), and Lauren (Andrew).

Her 13 great grandchildren brought much joy into her life and kept her young at heart:Adelynn, Everly, Aubrey, Paisley, Jack, Lewis, Mycah, Oakley, Isabel, Wallace, Brody, Hazel and Sophia.

As the Matriarch of the Watson clan, she was highly respected, enjoyed serving her family great meals and tasty desserts such as homemade cookies, pies, and pineapple upside down cake especially on birthdays and at Christmas. She enjoyed living in her house at 11 Ladbrooke for 61 years enjoying gardening and ensuring her flowers and roses bloomed year after year. Thanks to Sylvia’s support, she was able to stay in her home until she was 98. In September 2023, she moved to Muskoka Traditions, an independent retirement residence in Huntsville, where she was close to sons Bill and Jim and her love of the Muskoka region.

After Doug stopped coming home for lunch and a card game, her love of learning inspired her to enroll at Humber College in 1970 where she received her diploma for Medical Administration. She then started her career working at various doctors’ offices and hospitals. She was one of the first mature students to graduate from Humber College with a program diploma.

She had a passion for travel and a love of the outdoors. She enjoyed travel across Canada in a van, camping in a tent trailer or boat, cruising across the Atlantic and the Pacific, or sailing down the inside passage to Florida. Her love of cottage life started in Haliburton in the 50’s when her father and brother built a cottage on Big Hawk Lake. In the 70’s the family built their own cottage on Lake Vernon where many good memories were created with family and friends.

We are grateful to all the staff at Muskoka Traditions for their friendly assistance and support during her time there.

Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home, Weston Chapel, located at 2035 Weston Road on Thursday, April 24th from 4:00-8:00pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 25th at 11:00am with visitation at 10 am at Westway United Church, 8 Templar Drive in Toronto.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be sent to Hope and Healing International, Doctors Without Borders, Trans Canada Trail, or a charity of your choice.

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