Ruth Lorraine DeGraves

With tremendous sadness, Ruth DeGraves, mother, actress, writer, narrator and filmmaker passed away June 2nd 2014 at St Boniface Hospital at the age of 51. Ruth leaves to mourn her parents Wilfred and Diane DeGraves of Winnipeg, her sisters Joan DeGraves of Bolton ON, Marion DeGraves of Winnipeg, Alison DeGraves of St Johns NFLD, and Ruth’s two sons, Leo and Finlay McKay of Winnipeg.

Ruth will be remembered for her compassion towards animals and her love for horseback riding. In her youth, Ruth travelled Europe and worked as an au-pair in France. After graduating from the University of Winnipeg in 1995, Ruth became a talented comedic actress, working in both theatre and film. Ruth acted for MTYP, various touring theatrical groups from Toronto, The Rude Players with Alan Williams and many films. Ruth excelled in her abilities as a narrator and narrated many films, radio and television shows. Ruth was nominated for the Writers Guild of Canada screenwriting award for the narration script of Jeff McKay’s documentary ‘Crapshoot’, with whom she worked on several documentary film projects. In the 1990’s Ruth wrote and produced many items for several local and nationally heard CBC radio programs. She became the host and writer for two seasons of the nationally aired CBC television series ‘Open Wide’. Recently Ruth made four, 30-minute films for MTS on Demand.

As an author Ruth was published as Mini Lee, by Virgin Press in the UK. She completed one novel, and three short stories along with a number of screenplays.

A memorial service will be held at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, at 10AM on Thursday July 3rd.

Ruth was very social person; she enjoyed the company of family and friends. She especially liked spending time outdoors, growing echinacea, riding horses and spending time at the lake. She will be remembered for her creativity, spirit, kindness and her boundless sense of humour.