Ruby Gallagher

She was born in Emo, Ontario on May 4, 1926 to Annie VanDrunen. Her father, Anton, had passed before her birth. Ruby's older brother Hank was the man of the house while she was growing up. They lived through very lean times; she learned the value of hard work and wasting very little. Virtues that came to shape the woman she was throughout her whole life.

Ruby valued her education very much. She attended school in Emo until grade 10; completing high school in Dryden. She stayed with Mary Fisher while working in her first teaching post before taking a position at Alexander MacKenzie School. She was hired particularly for her ability to play piano.

Ruby had a passion for music. Her musical talents grew stronger throughout her teaching career and up until her last days she sang children's songs as though she was in a classroom full of students. She had a great sense of humour and enjoyed making others laugh and smile.

Ruby moved to Fort Frances where she fell in love with Reginald Gallagher. They married February 2, 1952. She continued to pursue her career and enjoyed helping her students with annual music festivals, teaching songs, and playing piano. She enjoyed all that life and her community had to offer and enthusiastically contributed wherever she saw need. She was generous with both her time and money. She and Reg lived a simple life and were happy to keep their material possessions to a minimum. The walls of their home were adorned with the cherished pictures of family and friends and treasures gifted to them by the children they loved. They had an enormous garden and enjoyed many weekends at their cabin on Clearwater (Burdett) Lake. In later years she continued her active lifestyle by swimming and attending the mill weight room. She preferred to walk everywhere she needed to go.

Ruby was always very proud of her family, often sharing stories and remembering good times and memories with them. Ruby was predeceased by her loving husband, Reginald Gallagher (2000), Father Anton VanDrunen, Mother Annie (VanDenburg) VanDrunen, brothers and sisters Hank, Annette, Florence, and Anton VanDrunen.

She leaves behind her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Gordon from Emo, sister-in-law Lil from Devlin, daughter Marlene from Saskatchewan, grandchildren Mellisa (Casey and Reed) of Atikokan, Micheal (wife Chantel and Elijah) from Devlin, Jim (Peyton), Reg (Taidje and Ariel), Paul, Randy, Seth from Saskatchewan, close family friends Barb and Len from Fort Frances, Michelle from Kenora, and Jeff from Atikokan. She will be greatly missed by all of her extended family, nieces, nephews, and chosen family.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, ON with Reverend Barbara Miller officiating.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Alzheimer society of Canada, Rainy Crest Auxiliary, and Fort Frances Friends of the Library.