Mrs. Ruby Linda Hill

Hello my name is Shannon Johansen. I am Doug’s oldest daughter. I’ve been asked to share with you all the memories we cherish and I feel honoured to have the opportunity to speak to you about my mom Ruby Hill.

In London, England on October 28, 1954 proud parents Roma and David Eddy announced the birth of their baby girl Ruby Linda Eddy. Her family’s life path led her to Calgary where she was raised solely by her mother Roma. Ruby was an only child who was treasured by her mother throughout her lifetime. Her loyalty to family was evident as she cared for her mother during her mother’s final days. Ruby attended University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Italian and French as well as an Education Degree. Ruby worked several careers in her lifetime but her employment with Air Canada was the most rewarding. Ruby loved to help travellers reach their destinations and had a passion for travel herself. Ruby met and cherished many wonderful people at Air Canada and enjoyed the girl’s night out with her fellow pyjama club members.

Ruby was an outgoing person. She was energized by her family, friends and co-workers and would light up a room with her smile. She treasured every moment and built many memories. Ruby was someone who could naturally build a community around her of family, friends, and coworkers. She enjoyed involvement in many events with them, such as Dreamstake Flights, the Mother’s Day Run and Walk with Stephen and Michaelle in honour of their daughter, Peyton, and a bowling league with her husband Doug in Winnipeg. Ruby was a spontaneous, fun soul, often planning last minute vacations to various venues including Jamaica, Europe, Las Vegas, Mexico and many more. She was absolutely meticulous with details and you could ensure that when Ruby planned your vacations you could truly relax and know everything was taken care of.

Ruby and her son Stephen joined our family ten years ago on August 11. Michelle, Stephen’s wife stood up for her as her matron of honour. We were all filled with joy as we celebrated this wonderful event. We welcomed Ruby into our lives, and really developed a mother-daughter bond with her. I’ll never forget the look on her face at their wedding when Aunty Mow walked into the room as chief cook hillbilly style. Overalls, apron, hatchet and rubber chicken in tow. Ruby was horrified, as being new to our family she has not experienced our family wedding tradition of dressing up in crazy costumes to have some fun with the bride. Thanks to Aunty Mow she was given a true welcome to our side of the family, especially when the chicken feathers started to fly.

Ruby, my sisters and I share a passion for a deal. We enjoyed many a shopping trip perusing the aisles looking at each and every item. When a garage sale was in our neighbourhood we went searching for little treasures.

As the years have passed, Ruby and my dad have had the opportunity to welcome many grandchildren into their lives. Ruby was a doting grandmother to Katrina, Emily, Wesley, Samantha and Lily. She never forgot a birthday or special event, and always remembered to bring a trinket back for each child from her many adventures. We will miss pyjama days, cuddling on the couch with her watching movies, but we know that she has joined Peyton and Natalie in heaven.

Ruby loved animals. Wherever she travelled she would always visit the local pet store, zoo, or wildlife reserve and beg my dad to let her take her various finds home. She would cuddle a koala bear; reach into a cage to scratch a wombat’s stomach, swim with the dolphins, and stand in the middle of a flock of birds, laughing in delight, but she reserved the biggest place in her heart for her boys – Tucker, Buster and Breezer.

Ruby was a strong woman, who had many battles with cancer in the past five years. Although this was difficult she always maintained an attitude that she would be okay and was not going to let it get the best of her. As we reflect upon her life today we know that she would not want us to sit here in sorrow, but to celebrate the life she lived. We would ask all of you, her family, friends and coworkers, to come up at this time and share with us a memory you treasure of Ruby.

* * * * * * * * * *

RUBY LINDA HILL

(nee Eddy)

Ruby Linda Hill passed away on June 11, 2010 after losing her valiant battle against cancer.

Ruby was the loving wife and soul mate to Douglas Hill. Her son, Stephen LeManne (Michaelle) was the centre of her world. She was the loving stepmother to Shannon Johansen (Cory), Leslie Hill, Patricia Kristianson (Greg), Erin Thorne (Steven), doting grandmother to Wesley LeManne, Katrina and Emily Johansen, Samantha Kristianson, and Lillian Thorne. Ruby will be remembered by her aunts, Delia Pfeffer, Edda Clay, Ilse Pezzi, and Alice Allard and a large extended family. Ruby is predeceased by parents Roma Eddy, David Eddy, and grandchildren Peyton LeManne and Natalie Johansen.

She was born on October 28, 1954 in England to parents, Roma and David Eddy. Ruby spent her childhood in Calgary, where her mother, Roma was a pillar of strength for her. Ruby had a passion for knowledge, which lead to her three Bachelors Degrees in French, Italian and Education, and her many Trivial Pursuit championships at the kitchen table with her family. She loved to travel the world and enjoyed her bowling league.

Ruby loved her career with Air Canada and will be fondly remembered by her colleagues there. Ruby opened her heart for all living creatures and will be sorely missed by pals Tucker, Buster and Breezer.

A service will be held at Thomson “In the Park” on June 15 at 10:00am, viewing at 9:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Health Sciences Centre Cancer Care in Winnipeg or Air Canada Dreams take Flights.