RUTH MECHLER (HENRY)

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RUTH MECHLER (nee HENRY) It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ruth Mechler on January 22, 2019 at the remarkable age of 97. Ruth was predeceased by Gene, her husband of 60 years; her sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Gordon Grant, and her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Vera Henry. Left to cherish her memory are her son Alan (Debbie), granddaughter Devon Berglund (David), grandson Greg and many nieces and nephews. Ruth and Gene met in high school, attending Daniel McIntyre Collegiate in Winnipeg's west end. They fell deeply in love but then the Second World War broke out and Gene enlisted in the army. He and Ruth got engaged before he left but Gene refused to marry her. He said that, in case he didn't return from the war, he didn't want to her to be a widow at the age of 20. While Gene was serving in Europe, Ruth went into nursing and enrolled in nursing school at the Misericordia Hospital. Just days before final exams, Ruth received word that Gene had been critically injured in Europe. He was in a coma in a British hospital. He had a fractured skull and other injuries and the doctors were unsure whether he would survive. Ruth was so distraught with the news that she failed her final exam. At that time, there were no second chances for nursing students. If you failed any exam, even under circumstances as extreme as Ruth's, if you wanted to try again you had to leave the province and study somewhere else. Gene did survive his injuries and once he had come home and was well into his recovery, Ruth moved to Woodstock, Ontario and enrolled in the nursing college there. This time she not only passed, she graduated summa cum laude, with the highest grades in her class. For her accomplishment, she was offered a position as a Lead Operating Room Nurse at the prestigious Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. It was a great honour. But Ruth declined and returned to Winnipeg to marry Gene. They were married on August 16, 1947 and celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2007, just a few weeks before Gene passed away. Over the course of her career, Ruth worked at Misericordia and both Grace Hospitals. She worked in the Emergency Room and occasionally on wards, but she was primarily an Operating Room nurse. She thrived on the pressure of the E.R. and the O.R., and believed that that was where she could make the biggest difference. Gene was an avid golfer and when he retired, Ruth took up the game as something they could spend their retirements doing together. She became a very good golfer in her own right and recorded three holes in one. Together, they spent their summers on the course at Breezy Bend Country Club and, in wintertime, they went on golf vacations in Europe, Hawaii and the southern US. The thing that we will remember most about Ruth is her clarity of thought. Ruth's mind was always razor sharp. Strong-willed, feisty and a strong critical thinker, Mom was always sharp as a tack and had an amazing memory. It was her gift for critical thinking mixed with an immense capacity for love and compassion that made her such an extraordinary nurse, as well as a wonderful mom and grandma. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at West Park Manor for the tender care that they gave Ruth in her final year. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Grace Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. In accordance with Ruth's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a future date. We love you, Mom. You are reunited with Dad and for that we are grateful. But we are going to miss you. Rest in peace. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 26, 2019