Ruth Katherine Gannon

With Ruth’s passing on September 30th, 2026, in her 96th year, I believe we have witnessed the last member of her generation of the Etherington Clan……

Her cousins were our parents, aunts and uncles. Her parents were our great aunts, great uncles and grandparents. I have copies of family trees that go back as far as the 14th century, information that was gathered with our relatives help.

And as you may be aware, Ruth was a deep repository of our family histories. I was fortunate enough to spend extensive time with her (along with her Mother Monica (Queenie to the Etheringtons) and her sister, Mary) over the years learning about our family tree and the numerous achievements that were accomplished by our relatives.

Ruth always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Following the steps of her mother, Ruth became an operating room nurse at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Continually expanding her experience, Ruth graduated with a Master of Science degree from University of Toronto & Purdue University and became Assistant Director-Speech Pathology at Bob Rumball Centre in Toronto. Ruth was not one to retire. As a volunteer, Ruth conducted exhibition tours at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) and enjoyed travelling around the world.

Indeed, Ruth and Mary spent significant time in Australia visiting with the Melbourne-based members of the Etherington family who immigrated there in the early 1900s. Through Ruth’s introductions, Robin and I have enjoyed numerous ZOOM sessions with Ruth and Joan Simmonds (a distant cousin).

The attached photo was taken on July 8th 2026, after Ruth and I visited with her doctors in Toronto. On the way back we stopped at a favorite Japanese restaurant for a “feed” of good sushi. I believe this might have been the last meal she enjoyed. The smile on her face says it all…..

She will be missed!

Funeral Mass will be held from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 31 Russell Street East in Lindsay, Ontario on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 1 o’clock.

Internment St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Mary’s, Ontario, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 1 o’clock

At Ruth’s request, donations may be made in her memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or the Facility of Pharmacy, 144 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3M2.