Mrs. Ruth Irene (Crothers) Richardson (nee Irwin), a resident of Sydenham Residence passed away peacefully on December 8, 2016 at the age of 95 years. Ruth was born in Merlin on September 11, 1921 to Harrison”Vernie” Irwin and Hazel Irene (Wallace). She was predeceased by her first husband, Redge Crothers in 1973 after their 25th wedding anniversary of the same year. She was also predeceased by her second husband R. George Richardson, Ingersoll to whom she was married for 31 years.
She was predeceased by her brother James Irwin (2007) and brother -in-law Keith Dowker . Survived by her sisters, Mary Frances Dowker and Edith Grace (Murray) Stark both of Chatham. Beloved Aunt to Irwin (the late Debbie) Dowker, Steven (Marilyn) Dowker, Martha Lee (Manley) Jackson, Elizabeth (Kelly) Stowe and Miriam (Peter) Dodman. Great Aunt to 16 and Great -Great Aunt to 8. Step-Mother to Newt (Deb) Richardson, Matt (Ursula) Richardson and Lynn (Kerry) Keuhl. Beloved step- Grandmother of 6 and step Great-Grandmother of 10.
Although she never had children of her own, they were always part of her life. She began her teaching career at a one room school house at Baddertown and then Stewart School, next to the family farm. She even taught her younger sister Edith. She then went and taught school in Wallaceburg where she met and married her first husband Redge. In Wallaceburg she taught Kindergarten, Grades one and two for 25 years. She then met and married her second husband and moved to Ingersoll where she supply taught and did private tutoring as well as volunteering.
Ruth was an active member of her church and community, looking for new faces and making a point of welcoming them. Family and relationships were very important to her. She has blessed the many lives that she has touched over the years and will sadly missed by all who knew her.
Cremation will take place. Arrangements are entrusted to the Eric F. Nicholls Funeral Home Ltd. 639 Elgin St., Wallaceburg. A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity United Church, Wallaceburg on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. As an expression of sympathy, donations to any local charities may be left at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.ericfnichollsfuneralhome.com.
As a living memorial, a tree will be planted in Nicholls Memorial Forest in memory of Ruth Irene Richardson.
