Ruth Elizabeth Highway

February 10, 1921 – December 25, 2012

Ruth passed away peacefully in the early hours of Christmas Day. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Gordon Highway of 66 years, and their six children Bruce (Susan) Highway, Joan (Bob) Godfrey, Catherine (Tony) Griffin, Leslie (Tim) Dojack, Elaine (Al) Phipps and Sidney (Vance) Johnson, plus their many grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Roy & Elizabeth Hamilton, two brothers Jim and Bob Hamilton and sister, Kathleen (Kay) Smith, and also their grandchild, Esther Griffin.

Ruth was born in Kirriemuir, Alberta and moved to the Comox Valley with her family at the age of 4 years. She met the love of her life, Gordon, shortly after the war and together raised their family here in the Comox Valley. Ruth was a mother to all, welcoming the neighbourhood children with enticing odors of hot bread and cinnamon buns fresh out of the oven. She also worked as a Court Reporter travelling the mid and north island and had many tales to tell of float plane rides and harrowing travel on icy roads, not to mention the colourful characters she met along the way. Upon her retirement, Ruth and Gordon travelled to numerous countries enjoying the cultures they encountered. She was also very involved in her church of St. Peter’s in Comox, especially with the young mothers. She always said, “Where there are children there is life!”

We will dearly miss Ruth, but celebrate her passing. Her family would like to thank Dr. Janet Green and the third floor staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital for their care during her final week of life. All are invited to attend a memorial service in celebration of Ruth’s life at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 218 Church Street, Comox, on February 9, 2013 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.