Ruth Johnston Milks

Ruth is pre-deceased by her loving husband, William Joseph (2010) of 60 years, her parents, Dr. Eric Windeler and Jean Johnston, and her sister and nurse extraordinaire Joan Windeler (2015).

Ruth was a classy lady who always had a sparkle in her eye. Ruth was born in Sumerland, British Columbia October 14, 1922, to family doctor Eric Windeler and his nurse wife Jenny Johnston. Family doctors were in demand and after several locations it was decided that Ruth and her sister would attend Bishop Strachan School in Toronto. Ruth continued her education at University of Toronto and graduated as a Physio Therapist. Her profession took her to Ottawa where many of her clients were veterans who had returned from action in World War 2. While in Ottawa she met William Joseph Milks, a rather dashing character, who wooed her over the next few years and on May 12th, 1950 they were married in Ottawa.

W. J. worked for the CN Railway so they moved around before finally settling in Toronto. Between frequent moves and starting a family, Ruth decided to operate on the home front and on February 26, 1957 introduced William Eric Milks to the world. What the world of physiotherapy lost was no match for what was gained at 22 Flaremore Cresent in Willowdale, ON. Ruth was a loving, caring wife and mother who always opened her home to numerous friends, business colleagues, and any stray who was brought home. Ruth loved to entertain and there was usually a get together of some sort on the weekends.

W.J. and Ruth had a wonderful life together. They both loved to spend summers at the family cottage on Golden Lake in the Ottawa Valley and travelled annually to Florida and Jamaica with friends and family. Ruth’s greatest quality was her ability to be available to assist someone in need. Ruth assisted on endless housing moves for family and friends, volunteered at numerous charitable organizations, was a legendary driver for many high school basketball players after practice, and aspiring counsellors on their way to Camp Tawingo for the summer.

For someone who was born in 1922, Ruth was very aware of current and cultural trends as she entered the 1990’s and beyond. One New Years Eve she received a call from her family to wish her and W.J. best wishes for the coming year. W.J. was long asleep but Ruth was watching a Rolling Stones concert and was commenting on how Mick jagger could really move, Hmmmmm!

Ruth deeply adored her grand children Jonathon and Gillian and was always pleased that they led an active lifestyle and shared her passion for the out of doors. As a family with a long generational history of working at summer camps such as Camp On Da Da Waks, and Camp Tawingo, many hours over the years were spent telling stories, regaling tall tales, and celebrating accomplishments. Ruth could hold her own with her stories about her years at Camp Inawendawin in Dorset, ON in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Family humour being what it is, the banter usually started and questions such as “What was it like being a fur trader?” would appear. She would just chuckle and beam.

We were fortunate to have her love, good nature, keen interest, and incredible health for over 100 years. She absolutely loved the Queen and Ruth was tickled pink when she received her correspondence from the Queen celebrating her 100th birthday. When Queen Elizabeth passed away three weeks before Ruth’s birthday she had fretted about the possible signature. Would it be Queen or King? Ruth was told, “don’t worry, the old girls always stick together”. Everything turned out ok!

Ruth was caring, knowledgeable, had a sparkle in her eye and absolutely loved her family- Just like we loved her. The Milks family is very grateful that we had this significant amount of time with Ruth and we will treasure the endless memories of her.

There will be a visitation at the Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home 8088 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON from 3-7pm on Friday March 17, 2023.

There will be a private family service at 10am that morning.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to The Jack Pearse Memorial Campership Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kanejerrett-thornhill.ca for the Milks family.