Ruth Virginia Link

Ruth Link, age 74, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away on October 14, 2023 after a decade long battle with a neurodegenerative disease. She passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Edward Link, her three children Dr. Michael (Teresa), Sheri-Lyn (Russ), and Patricia (Allan) Herbert, and eight grandchildren, Erin, Dylan, Justin, Rebecca, CJ, Ashton, Neve, and Ruby. She is also survived by her three siblings, Doug (Addie), John (Lynn), and Laura. She was predeceased by her parents Helen and Richard Barclay, and her sister-in-law Kathy Barclay.

Ruth was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan. Her father was a preacher and this very much defined her experiences growing up and her own unwavering faith in God. At an early age, she developed a passion for music and learning. She was a talented pianist who could practice for hours and read the dictionary just for fun as a young girl.

After high school, Ruth attended Teacher’s College in Fort Frances, where she met and married her husband of 52 years, Ed. They moved to Brantford, Ontario where they had their son, and then to Thunder Bay, Ontario where they had their two daughters. Ruth settled into life as a full-time mom who volunteered at school and church. She also spent countless hours gabbing on the phone with her close friends or catching up with them over a cup of coffee.

In the mid 1980’s, she pursued further education at Lakehead University and subsequently received her Master’s of Education Degree in 1990 and returned to teaching. In 2002, Ruth and Ed moved to Abbotsford, BC, where she continued to teach and remain active in her new church and community. In Abbotsford, they made very close friends, to add to their cherished friendships made in Thunder Bay. Once she retired, Ruth and Ed enjoyed many cruises, travelling with their 5th wheel trailer to Oregon and Washington State, and exploring the West Coast. They also took every opportunity they could to spend time with their grandkids.

In 2013, they moved to Winnipeg where their three children and eight grandchildren live. By October 2016, Ruth’s medical needs required she be admitted to Riverview Health Centre. During this difficult time she remained focused on being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a positive light to staff and other residents in the care home.

The greatest legacy Ruth leaves is: love for her family and her faith in God.

Our family is forever grateful to our father, Ed, for the incredible love he showed to mom, ensuring she had every comfort that could possibly be provided to her. We are also so grateful to the extended team at Riverview who helped Ruth and our family navigate the difficult progression of her illness.

A memorial service celebrating Ruth’s life will be held on Monday October 23, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Green Acres Funeral Home. A private family interment will take place on another date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Riverview Health Centre Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresfuneralhome.com for the Link family.