Doris "Ruby" (Todd) Earl

The funeral service can be live streamed through the following link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82563611914

EARL, Doris “Ruby” (nee Todd)

Passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at The Pines Long Term Residential Care in Bracebridge in her 92nd year.  Beloved wife of 60 years to the late Bill Earl who predeceased Ruby on October 2, 2004.  Dearly loved mother of Wilma (Joe) Proulx of Orillia, Don Earl (Diane Coombes) of Novar and Bonnie Earl of Calgary.  Proud grandmother of Cindy (Andrew), Shona (Chris), Wendy (John), Scott, deceased, (Mandy), Rob (Anne-Marie), Jamie (Dezarae), Jeff (Krista), Jennifer (Waseem) and Jacquelyn (Pat).  Adored great-grandmother of Ashley (James), Ryan, Sholaine, Brett, Adam, Colin, Brandon, Jordan, Cole, Laura, Riley, Weston, Hudson, Corson, Waverley, Isaiah and Keziah. Proud great-great-grandmother of Dawson and Lauryn.  Pre-deceased by her parents Lewis & Pearl Todd, brother Harold and his wife Ellen.

Ruby was raised on a farm in Novar ON where she was taught from a very young age how to take care of a home and do farm-life chores. She was taught the value of hard work along with other values of patience, perseverance, tolerance, kindness, caring and compassion. She lived these values every day of her life.

Ruby was a proud homemaker. She loved her home, her husband, her kids and celebrated the expanding of her family with each marriage and each birth. She was happiest when preparing food for family gatherings and friend drop-ins. No matter when you visited, there were always baked goodies. She was famous for her homemade bread, cinnamon buns, pies, cakes, cookies; and her butter tarts were to die for. Baking was one of the ways she showed her love. Everyone who entered her home was made to feel welcome.

She also had a soft spot in her heart for seniors. Her first out-of-the-home job was at Twilight Inn, Novar and then subsequently at Fairvern in Huntsville. The work was physically demanding but she seldom complained. In fact, she would often skip lunch breaks so that she could spend time with those seniors without family nearby, uplifting their spirits with a listening ear, while curling their hair or putting on nail polish.  Ruby’s colleagues at Fairvern called her “mom.” This speaks volumes to who she was a woman.

After her husband’s death in 2004, Ruby said half of her died with him. Life was not the same. A diagnosis of dementia in 2009, led to a steady decline in quality of life. While she bravely soldiered on, her biggest fear was that she would forget her kids. She did not want to forget her kids. September 12, 2020 Ruby passed, knowing her kids were there with her and knowing she was loved. She got her wish. She did not forget.

Maybe our legacies aren’t so much about what we do, but how we make people feel.

Ruby leaves many hearts both enriched and saddened. Ruby made people feel loved.

Her earthly presence will be sorely missed.

Due to Covid-19, Provincial guidelines and restrictions enforced by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, funeral services allow for a 30% capacity while social distancing measures are observed.  Please call Billingsley Funeral Home at 705-789-8982 or RSVP below to reserve a time to pay your respects.

The funeral service will be held in the chapel at Billingsley Funeral Home, on Friday, September 18th, 2020 at 1 p.m.  The funeral service will be live streamed through Zoom for those unable to attend.  Burial to follow at Hutcheson Memorial Cemetery where Ruby will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.  A reception will follow the burial at Billingsley Funeral Home.  As an expression of sympathy memorial donations can be made to Alzheimer Society of Muskoka, www.alzheimermuskoka.ca  Messages of condolences can be left at www.billingsleyfuneralhome.com