Anita Mary Unruh

Anita Mary Unruh, born May 3 1952, died of Ovarian Cancer on July 30, 2017. She was predeceased by her parents Henry (1986) and Mary (2016) Unruh, brothers Henry (2014) and Walter (1957). Survived by her dear Patrick and our beloved daughter Mika, brother Victor Unruh (Debbie Longpre), sister Elvera (Dominic Trimboli) and her nieces and nephews, Amy (Justin and son Gavin); Gabriel and Nathaniel, Rory (Krista and baby Paityn).

Anita was trained as an Occupational Therapist (Western 1975) and a social worker (Carleton, 1984) and received her PhD from Dalhousie University in 1996. She was a faculty member in various schools at Dalhousie and was often brought in as a supportive fixer. She ended her career as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Health Professions. She enjoyed her students, loved searching out new ways to help students and faculty attain their best. She wrote the first textbook of pediatric pain with her dearest Patrick with baby Mika (Maria) between the two word processors in a cabin in rural Ontario.

The greatest joy in her life was adopting Mika and seeing her grow through good times and difficult times into a delightful, capable and affectionate young woman.

Anita’s savoured her garden and pond at East Lahave where she recently oversaw a major renovation of the century old house. She enjoyed walking on beaches and on the Halifax waterfront, hiking and crocheting. She made dozens of chemo beanies for other women with ovarian cancer.

Anita was an unusually skilled listener who was profoundly respectful of others. She helped people create solutions in challenging circumstances. Her gentleness and incisive thinking made working with her a pleasure.

Anita saw her life as a spiritual journey and she knew that in death she would see the only truth.

Thanks to doctors and nurses who cared so well for her especially James Bentley, Katarina Kieser and David Bowes at QEII, her family doctor , Finlay Spicer and Marcus Butler and Gerry Prendergast at Princess Margaret. The Palliative Care team, especially Monica Flinn, the VON nurses and Emergency Health paramedics brought comfort in her final weeks. The many women at the front line as nurses and support staff in the cancer clinic and in chemo were unfailingly kind and competent.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Ovarian Cancer Canada (ovariancanada.org) for the Anita Unruh Award for student research.

Visitation for Anita will be held on Tuesday August 8, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr.

Memorial service in Halifax will be held on Wednesday August 9, 2017 at 2 pm at St. Andrew’s United Church, 1390 Robie St. A Service in St. Catherines, ON will be held at Grace Mennonite Church, 677 Niagara St. on Tuesday, August 15 at 11 AM, with a luncheon to follow. Her ashes will be scattered in her garden.