RUBY MARY ASHDOWN

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RUBY MARY ASHDOWN May 2, 1923 - October 30, 2012 With profound sadness, the family of Ruby Mary Ashdown announces that she has passed on to her reward with the grace and dignity she displayed throughout her life. Ruby is survived by her sons, James (Connie), William (Heather) and daughter Mary Grace (Bryan Durst), her seven grandchildren, Larissa, Jennifer, Tricia, Nicholas, and James Ashdown, and Kendall and Tyler Durst, and one great-grandchild, Avery, as well as her brother-in-law, Judge Phillip Ashdown, nieces and nephews, Barbara Myers, Joan Franks, Lorraine Stone, and Phil Ashdown, Jamie and Kris Benidickson and Kathleen Ramsay. She was predeceased by her husband, James Ashdown, her parents, Gertrude (Moore) and Christian Benidickson, her brother Senator William Moore Benidickson and sisters-in-law Agnes R. Benidickson and Alison Ashdown. Ruby was born and raised in Dauphin, Manitoba and in the midst of the depression the family moved to Winnipeg and settled on Baltimore Road. Her father, an Icelandic immigrant, was a successful manufacturer's agent and her mother was a nurse. In Winnipeg, Ruby was enrolled at Riverbend School (now Balmoral Hall) which she enjoyed immensely, and where she made wonderful, life-long friendships. She went on to graduate with an honours degree in Economics from University of Manitoba and then worked for Great West Life until the end of the Second World War. In December 1945 she married James Harry Ashdown, following a courtship that started when she was 16. They married as soon as he returned from the war. After a wonderful honeymoon, part of which was spent driving through the mountains in a Mclaughlin Buick almost as old as they were, they settled in Lethbridge, Alberta. James worked for Ashdown Hardware, and after a few years they returned to Winnipeg where they remained for the rest of their lives. Ruby was a loving, devoted and tireless wife and mother, who worked hard to encourage her children to learn and experience all that life has to offer. She loved learning, had common sense and wisdom beyond the norm, and was blessed with many talents and interests. Ruby's love of art and china was a lifelong passion, as was her devotion to her home and family, and her generosity to the community. Ruby donated her extraordinary porcelain collection to the Winnipeg Art Gallery where it was recently featured in a show titled, Delicate Beauty, the Ruby Ashdown Porcelain Collection . She filled her home with antiques, fine paintings and rare porcelains. She also had an extensive library of books that reached back through centuries. Over the years she gave her time and expertise to many community organizations including the Junior League, Balmoral Hall and a variety of art organizations. She was a consultant to both the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Royal Ontario Museum. She was a wonderful, self taught cook and her black bottom pies were the finest on Earth. Her creativity extended to home decor, delicate embroidery, amazing crewel needlework and bountiful vegetable and flower gardens. Our Mother was an extraordinary lady. From teaching us sailing in the teeth of a raging summer storm, to spoiling us with her kitchen creations, her talents seemed endless. We shall always remember her magnificent dinners, with every detail absolutely perfect. Her parties ranged from period events, celebrating the Christmas of 1867, with all guests in full costume, (two guests even arrived by dogsled), to Croquet parties, and English pub lunches, with all the smallest details in place. All her friends and family share the belief that they were indeed blessed to have had her in their lives. Very special thanks to the efforts of Kathy, Belinda, Betty, Janet, Raje, Elizabeth, Jazmin and the other caregivers for making Ruby's last years very comfortable and enjoyable. A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 25, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew's Church, or to the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Publish Date: Nov 6, 2012

RUBY MARY ASHDOWN May 2, 1923 - October 30, 2012 With profound sadness, the family of Ruby Mary Ashdown announces that she has passed on to her reward with the grace and dignity she displayed throughout her life. Ruby is survived by her sons, James (Connie), William (Heather) and daughter Mary Grace (Bryan Durst), her seven grandchildren, Larissa, Jennifer, Tricia, Nicholas, and James Ashdown, and Kendall and Tyler Durst, and one great-grandchild, Avery, as well as her brother-in-law, Judge Phillip Ashdown, nieces and nephews, Barbara Myers, Joan Franks, Lorraine Stone, and Phil Ashdown, Jamie and Kris Benidickson and Kathleen Ramsay. She was predeceased by her husband, James Ashdown, her parents, Gertrude (Moore) and Christian Benidickson, her brother Senator William Moore Benidickson and sisters-in-law Agnes R. Benidickson and Alison Ashdown. Ruby was born and raised in Dauphin, Manitoba and in the midst of the depression the family moved to Winnipeg and settled on Baltimore Road. Her father, an Icelandic immigrant, was a successful manufacturer's agent and her mother was a nurse. In Winnipeg, Ruby was enrolled at Riverbend School (now Balmoral Hall) which she enjoyed immensely, and where she made wonderful, life-long friendships. She went on to graduate with an honours degree in Economics from University of Manitoba and then worked for Great West Life until the end of the Second World War. In December 1945 she married James Harry Ashdown, following a courtship that started when she was 16. They married as soon as he returned from the war. After a wonderful honeymoon, part of which was spent driving through the mountains in a Mclaughlin Buick almost as old as they were, they settled in Lethbridge, Alberta. James worked for Ashdown Hardware, and after a few years they returned to Winnipeg where they remained for the rest of their lives. Ruby was a loving, devoted and tireless wife and mother, who worked hard to encourage her children to learn and experience all that life has to offer. She loved learning, had common sense and wisdom beyond the norm, and was blessed with many talents and interests. Ruby's love of art and china was a lifelong passion, as was her devotion to her home and family, and her generosity to the community. Ruby donated her extraordinary porcelain collection to the Winnipeg Art Gallery where it was recently featured in a show titled, Delicate Beauty, the Ruby Ashdown Porcelain Collection . She filled her home with antiques, fine paintings and rare porcelains. She also had an extensive library of books that reached back through centuries. Over the years she gave her time and expertise to many community organizations including the Junior League, Balmoral Hall and a variety of art organizations. She was a consultant to both the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Royal Ontario Museum. She was a wonderful, self taught cook and her black bottom pies were the finest on Earth. Her creativity extended to home decor, delicate embroidery, amazing crewel needlework and bountiful vegetable and flower gardens. Our Mother was an extraordinary lady. From teaching us sailing in the teeth of a raging summer storm, to spoiling us with her kitchen creations, her talents seemed endless. We shall always remember her magnificent dinners, with every detail absolutely perfect. Her parties ranged from period events, celebrating the Christmas of 1867, with all guests in full costume, (two guests even arrived by dogsled), to Croquet parties, and English pub lunches, with all the smallest details in place. All her friends and family share the belief that they were indeed blessed to have had her in their lives. Very special thanks to the efforts of Kathy, Belinda, Betty, Janet, Raje, Elizabeth, Jazmin and the other caregivers for making Ruby's last years very comfortable and enjoyable. A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 25, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew's Church, or to the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
Publish Date: Nov 6, 2012

RUBY MARY ASHDOWN Peacefully, in her sleep Mother left to be with Dad. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has already taken place. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Nov 3, 2012
Publish Date: Nov 6, 2012

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2012