RUTH LAURA MAYOR

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RUTH LAURA MAYOR April 27, 1928 - August 26, 2017 With sadness we announce the passing of our mother, Ruth Laura Mayor (nee Hollands) after a long life, marred in her last years by the advance of Alzheimer's Disease. Mom is lovingly remembered by her children, Linda (Ed) of Winnipeg, Thomas of Almonte, ON, Constance (Donald) of Waterloo, ON, Lesley (Carol) and Cameron (Nenette) of Winnipeg, along with her beloved grandchildren, Melanie (Stephen), Jessica (Valter), Aylen (Charlie), Aaron, Luc, Miranda, and great-granddaughter Hayden. Mom also is survived by her sisters, Hazel Kjaer of Sydenham, ON and Joyce Hopp (George) of Ottawa, ON, sisters-in-law, Terry Mayor of Ottawa, ON and Shirley Wazura (Rudy) of Brandon, MB, brother-in-law Fred Mayor (Myrna) of Morden, MB, daughter-in-law Christine Mayor of Ottawa, ON, plus numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by our dad, Joseph Thomas Mayor in 1987, her parents Anna Mary Hollands (nee Twardochleb) (1963) and John Frederick Hollands (1992), parents-in-law, Elaine Mayor, Joseph and Della Mayor, her brother Gordon Hollands, brothers-in-law, George Mayor and Martin Kjaer, along with her birth father John Robert Gayton (1963). Our Mom met Dad the very day he returned to Winnipeg after being released from the army in March 1946. (He never had a chance!!). Dad stopped at Gray's Drugstore at the corner of Main and Higgins (after leaving the troop train at the CP Station) for a soda prior to taking the street car and bus to his mother's home in East St. Paul. Mom had a job at this same drugstore and the rest is history....Dad was smitten, and, handsome, hard-working young man that he was, soon persuaded Mom to accept his hand in marriage, which took place in June 1947. Mom and Dad literally built their own home in East Kildonan. It boggles the mind to imagine this endeavour by a then 23 and 19 year-old. Together they raised five children, instilling in them all a respect for others, good manners, work ethics, and an interest in almost everything, plus the love of reading (absorbed through osmosis). Mom was a child raised during the Great Depression and war-time years in the North End of Winnipeg. She never stopped being careful of her pennies and remained cognizant of the many potential uses of items before they were exhausted and discarded. She prized many of the household items and ornaments she had managed to purchase with scrimping pennies from the food budget. Even so, Mom was an individual who was the most generous and giving of her love, resources, possessions, time, humour and kindness. Mom had a multitude of interests ranging from reading (anything), walking, cross-country-skiing, to travelling about in North America in her senior years. Of particular note is that Mom was an accomplished seamstress and crocheter. She made many of the clothes that were worn by her young family, along with items used in the home. She was a consistent award winner for her crochet work displayed at the Red River Ex, and in the year 2000 won "Best of Show". We were all so proud of her! When Dad suffered a stroke in 1980, Mom strove to lessen his anxiety by nursing him at home for several years before he moved to Deer Lodge Veterans Hospital. The learning curve was steep for Mom, transitioning from housewife to constant caregiver, all the while trying to maintain normalcy for a young teenager and taking full responsibility for the total upkeep of a home. She never hesitated to do her own DIY projects and was successful at all she tried. After Dad passed away in 1987, our mother continued to be both a mental and moral support to her children. Being so well-read, she usually would have a suggestion or be able to point one in a particular direction. Of note - she would only offer her advice when asked and must have had a rather mangled tongue from biting it so often. Mom managed to maintain her own counsel and hind-sight enables us to appreciate just how remarkable a lady she was and will remain in our memories. Sadly, Mom's many friends of her early years and contemporaries of her adult years have either predeceased her or contact has been lost. Many thanks of appreciation are given to the staff members of the Kildonan Personal Care Centre, where Mom resided for these last 10 years. She so enjoyed many activities while having the reassurance of knowing there were caring people about to assist her, to ensure medications were taken correctly and to help with unmanageable tasks. This was beneficial to Mom and allowed her to live without stress. We were blessed with your love and grace for so many years, Mom, and selfishly, rely on your spirit and energy to continue to surround us all. We love you and know that you will carry on in your new adventure with aplomb and interest. In keeping with our mother's wishes, cremation has taken place. Mom's life will be celebrated at a later date with a private family gathering. Flowers are gratefully declined. If anyone so wishes, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 1020 Main Street, 204.586.8668 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Sep 2, 2017

RUTH LAURA MAYOR On Saturday, August 26, 2017, Ruth died at the Kildonan Personal Care Centre at the age of 89 years. A longer obituary notice will follow. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 1020 Main Street, 204.586.8668 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

Publish Date: Aug 29, 2017

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 02, 2017