Mary “Ruth” McCurdy was born on October 4, 1928 to parents Ivor and Jean McCurdy. The McCurdy family farmed in Elderslie Township on Concession 1. She was soon joined by her brother Howard “Glenn” (1930) and sister Evelyn Patricia (1936).

Ruth attended S.S. #2 in Elderslie before moving onto Chesley District High School. After graduating from Grade 12 in 1946, she went to Lorne Park College in Port Credit to complete her Grade 13 and graduated. Ruth then enrolled in Shaws Business College, all the while working for her board as a mother’s helper in a private home. She completed her course and received a Shaws Secretarial Diploma in 1955.

In the following years, Ruth was employed with several firms in downtown Toronto. In 1963, she took a secretarial position with South Africa General Mission (Africa Evangelical Fellowship), a missionary society working in the southern third of Africa. Ruth remained there for the next twenty enriching years, whereby her world horizons were greatly broadened.

In 1967, following the death of her father, Ruth’s mother moved to Toronto and bought a home on Pinebrook Avenue. Ruth shared the home with her mother and younger sister Evelyn. In 1971, Ruth was stricken with myelitis. Myelitis causes paralysis like polio, but affects the sensory nerves, as well as motor control nerves. Ruth was fortunate to be able to walk again, however, dealt with partial paralysis on her right side for the remainder of her life.

In 1985, Ruth began working for the Canadian Bible Society as a Correspondence Secretary, five mornings per week. She retired in October 1993, when she reached the age of 65.

Throughout her more than fifty years in Toronto, Ruth worshiped at Knox Presbyterian Church (Harbord St. & Spadina Ave.). Here her spiritual life was nourished and important friendships were made. Church fellowship continued to be the centre of her social life in retirement as well. During these years she also travelled extensively. She spent time in California, Western Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, the Maritimes, the United States, Bahamas and Bermuda. In her spare time Ruth really enjoyed reading, often picking up a good magazine, biography or her Bible for reading pleasure.

In November of 1992, Ruth moved from Toronto to The Village Retirement Home in Hanover. Here she had her own independent apartment and received the support she required as her disabilities increased. She remained active in the church and began attending Victory Fellowship Baptist Church. It was during these years that she also took a keen interest in the lives of her two nieces, two nephews and enjoyed watching her great-nieces and nephews grow. In 2014, Ruth made her final move to McVean Lodge where she enjoyed the company of friends and family. Her health continued to decline and Ruth was called to Heaven on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at the age of 90.

Loving sister of Evelyn Lageer of Hanover and Glenn McCurdy and his wife Rose of Mississauga. Ruth will be dearly missed by her nieces Corinne McCurdy of Burlington, Donna (Tom) Fisher of Carlisle and nephews Dale (Debbie) McCurdy of Chatham, Edward (Geraldine) McCurdy of Streetsville as well as her great-nieces and nephews Maxine (Stefan), Nicholas, Hannah, Duncan, Tristan, Matthew and Krista. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law Reg Lageer and her parents Ivor and Jean (Fraser) McCurdy.

Visitation will be held at Victory Fellowship Baptist Church (033219 Grey Rd. 28, Hanover) on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12 noon. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Bible Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me (have followed me) all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – Psalm 23:6