Ruby Alice (Luther) Watkins

At age 93, Ruby Alice Watkins (nee Luther) passed away peacefully in the presence of family on August 1, 2019 following a recent hospitalization. Daughter of Sidney and Alice Luther, Ruby was born in 1926 and grew up in Lac Vert, Saskatchewan. In 1939, her family moved to Peterborough where she lived, worked, married and above all selflessly devoted herself to being a very special wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Predeceased by her late husband Frank (1991) and infant son Dougie (1953), Ruby will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her eight children: Bill (Pat), Ron (Kathy), Jack (Janet), Gord (Val), Gary (Marianne), Marilyn Perrin (Len), Joe (Angie) and Karen Conway (Jeff); by her beloved grandchildren Jeff (Terry), Todd (Cara), Craig (Katie), Sara Perilli (Dan), Charles (Erica), Amy, Chris (Jessie), Janet Lynn, Jesse Van Allen (Jen), Jacquie Misner (Paul), Liz (fiancé Alex), Carla Royal (Jeremy), Maren Breen (Chris), Talia, Scott Perrin (Sarah), Becky Sweeting (Kurtis), Frankie Perrin, Kevin, Alex, and Ben (Shannon), Josh, and Emily Conway; and as an adored great-grandmother for Maddie, Cassie, Izzie, Kaedan, Jake, Charlotte, Eli, Rowan, Leven, Sutton, Olivia, Ian, Carter, Keyahla, Poppy, Mavi, Vivi, Weston, Ruby, Beckett, Henry, Claire, James and Isla. Ruby was a dear sister to Jack (late Doris), Sid (Joan), the late Joe (“Mike”) Luther, and sister Pansy Pickering (Frank).  And to her many loving nieces and nephews, she was so much more than just Aunt Ruby.

Ruby Alice Watkins was truly a remarkable lady. She took great pleasure in simple activities –- her lawns and gardens, baking cookies, walking miles at a time, trips to cottages and beaches, a good novel, a car ride through beautiful countryside, a cold beer. She was a faithful member of St. James United Church and a caring friend of Mother Earth – always trying to repair, not replace. These were among her personal enjoyments, but her unending focus was boundless dedication to family. She and Frank, whom she missed deeply to her final days, shared a loving and committed bond to each other over some 45 years. Together, they partnered in the enjoyment of raising a large, sometimes challenging, but always grateful family. They taught their kids to read, play ball, ride bikes, study hard and prepare for whatever future they pursued; to respect their elders; and how to become good parents themselves.  Ruby applied boundless energy and determination in the selfless and tireless support of the needs, happiness and success of the family.  She did so with limited means but a generous heart, combining personal sacrifice, humility, strong resolve and gentle kindness – often coupled with a mischievous but never mean sense of humour. To her family, she was their biggest fan, a pillar of support and a comforting shoulder in difficult times. Family gatherings, including hosting Christmas dinners for over 50 people, were very special events for Ruby.  Beyond family, she will be fondly remembered by many others who had the good fortune to know her, including children’s friends for whom she could always find another place at the crowded family dinner table. Her passing leaves many dozens of lives deeply touched.

A celebration of the life, love and legacy of Ruby Watkins will take place at Highland Park  Funeral Centre, 2510 Bensfort Road with visitation on Monday, August 5th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral Service in the Highland Park Chapel on Tuesday, August 6th at 11:00 am. Interment Highland Park Cemetery followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations in her honour to PRHC Foundation or a charity of one’s choice. The family wishes to express its appreciation to Dr. John Beamish, who cared for Ruby for over 35 years, and to him and the medical staff of Floors 5D and 2D of the Peterborough Regional Health Center for their exceptional care and support over the past several weeks. Online condolences may be expressed at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com

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