Ruth Longphee Sinclair

RUTH SINCLAIR (nee LONGPHEE)

At sunrise on Sunday, April 24, 2016 Ruth passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Birchwood Terrace Nursing Home, Kenora.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband Mel Sinclair; daughter Kathy Case; four sisters, Florence Longphee, Grace (Les) Hutton, Mary (Herb) Ginter, Myrtle Damsgaard; and brother Ed Longphee.

She is survived by her daughter Kathleen (Gary) Swain with daughters Nicole Swain and Melody (Pete) Combiadakis; son Angus Sinclair; son Alvin (Karen) Sinclair with sons Eric, Stuart and James Sinclair; son-in-law Bill Case with daughter Sheryl (Devin) Kowbuz and son Jeff (Amber-Lee) Case; daughter Cathy Paredes-Suay with sons Rob (Hilary) Meijer and Darren (Nicki) Meijer. Great grandchildren: Michael Swain; Penelope Combiadakis; Jayda and Avery Meijer; Sierra Meijer; Declan, Connor and Roan Kowbuz; Tyven, Kenlyn, Kabri and Reeve Case. Also left to cherish her memory are sister Doreen (Jim) Livingston, brother-in-law Gunnar Damsgaard, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and Aunt Agnes Brennan.

Clara RUTH Sinclair was born April 2, 1933 to Emmanuel and Clara (nee Brennan) Longphee in Dauphin, Manitoba. She quickly learned that she much preferred being outdoors with her father and brother, rather than inside with her mother and sisters. In her teens, Ruth moved to Winnipeg where she had a variety of jobs. Her most enjoyable was tending the newborn babies at the General Hospital. In late 1954, Ruth went to work at the CNR train station in Redditt, Ontario. It was there she met the love of her life, taxi driver Mel Sinclair. After their marriage on June 11, 1955, they both drove taxi until their first child was born. In 1961 they bought their home on the Airport Road, Kenora. Ruth was thrilled to have a yard for her children and a garden for herself. She wanted the best for her family and was actively involved in the Parent Teacher Association, Rabbit Lake Community Centre, and Cub Scouts of Canada. Mel retired early from Canada Post so they could run their own taxi/bus service (Mel & Ruth Vans). Ruth rarely said no to anyone needing a ride. She drove the van every day until her stroke in August 2011.

Ruth had three passions: her family, her garden and driving. When at home, Ruth’s favorite place to be was outside tending to one of her many gardens. Ruth loved to drive. She would drive just about anything; her favorite team of horses, a tractor, car, truck, van, quad, lawnmower and even a motorcycle. Family and friends from across the country never knew when Mel and Ruth might visit or what they would be driving.

For her 65th birthday, Mel gave Ruth her first motorcycle, a Honda Goldwing with a side car for him to ride in. She promptly enrolled in lessons in Winnipeg so that she could learn how to drive the bike. She passed the test on her first try.

A Celebration of Ruth's life will be held between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at the Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre with a come and go. A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

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