Ruth Mary Callon passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in her 96th year on July 29, 2014. Loving mother of Dianne (Chris), Kathleen (Glenn), Mary Ruth (Rob), Tom, Maureen, Monica, Elizabeth (Brian) and Patricia (Gavin); grandmother of Elizabeth, Amy, Alexander, Caitlin, Matthew, Sarah, Nico, Eric, Emma, Kieran, Michael, Mallory, Claire and Quinn; and great-grandmother of Jonah, Ethan, Thomas and Sarah.
She was predeceased by her former husband Mr. Justice Thomas Peter Callon and her brother James Curtis. Ruth was born in Timmins, Ontario, attended Loretto Abbey in Toronto and later the University of Toronto. She lived most of her adult life in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she raised her big brood, made many lasting friendships and contributed her passion and talent as a dedicated volunteer.
Ruth was the founding Chairperson of the Thunder Bay Volunteer Action Centre, a Director of the Steering Committee of the Canadian Association of Volunteers, an Executive member of the Liberal Party of Canada, a Board member of the Thunder Bay United Way, the President of the Lakehead Social Planning Council, a Director of the Ontario Welfare Board, the first woman President of the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Hospital, the first woman President of the Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Heritage, a member of the Bishop’s Diocesan Advisory Council, the founding Chairperson of the Catholic Family Development Centre, and a member both of the Board of Directors and the Senate of Lakehead University. Along the way, she also delivered Meals-on-Wheels for many years and gave generously to dozens of charities.
Ruth’s contributions were acknowledged by receiving the Thunder Bay award for exceptional public service in 1985 and the Papal Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal in recognition of her outstanding work for the Catholic Church in 1992.
In person, Ruth was charming and gracious with a keen sense of humour. She cherished her lifelong friends, including Sister Margaret Smith and several other Sisters at the St. Joseph’s Mother House in North Bay. As Ruth’s health declined, her love of music and her deep faith brought her much pleasure and peace. Ruth openly shared with everyone that her greatest accomplishment and gift was her family. All members of her family will forever remember her as a source of love and support. We will miss her immensely.
The Callon family wishes to thank the staff members of Briton House and Wellesley Central Place in Toronto for providing their mother with a caring home in her latter years. A private family service will be held for Ruth in Toronto on August 7, 2014. In memoriam donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Heritage in Thunder Bay.
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