Remembering the life of Ruth Hall

It is with bittersweet emotions that we announce the passing of Ruth Margaret (Blennerhassett) Hall in her 100th year, lovingly referred to by so many as Mz. Hall. She is now with her blessed Lord and Saviour and reunited with her beloved husband Albert, who passed away in 1998 after more than 50 years of marriage. Her eldest son David predeceased her in May 2020. Ruth is survived by her children Rosemary, David’s wife Jean (Wills), Karen Lantela, Stephen, Tim (Beatriz Rollins), and John (Heather Ross); her grandchildren, Christopher, Stephanie, Lauryn, Heather, Emilie, Julian, Cristian, Rowland, Isabelle, Caroline, and Taina; and her great-grandchildren, Merrin, Gabriel, Seth, Isaac, Matthew, Olympia, Lucas, Lilah, and Danny. She was predeceased by her brother Rowland Nelson (Buster), and her sister Wynetta Mitton.

Ruth grew up in Montreal where she spent most of her life until she moved to Toronto in 2001. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in the early 1940’s and practiced well into her sixties with great skill and undying care and tenderness for her patients. She started her large family with Albert in 1947 and showered enduring love and attention on them, their offspring, and the extended family for the next 75 years.

Ruth was passionately devoted to the Lord Jesus, and most of what she strived to accomplish was meant to be in his service and to his glory. She cherished and thrived in the Christian communities that she belonged to including Newman Place in Montreal, and Greenwood in Toronto, and the Verdun Sunday school where she met Albert, who before long (strategically?) befriended her brother. She had many long-time friends and cousins but always made sure that she reached out to new people who were joining the circle, or were struggling, and provided deep friendship and pastoral care. She was the definition of a gracious woman, always patient, kind, and encouraging to people. She also sought to integrate with Christian groups beyond her own, seeking to exemplify Christian unity.

Over the years, Ruth spent many weeks and months at her favourite place on the shores of Lake Macdonald in the Laurentians (Rest-a-While) which her parents had purchased before she was 10 years old. She loved to host her children and their children there as well as share in family events with her sister and brother. For as long as she could, even after Albert’s passing, she moved up there for the warm months and never failed to faithfully tend to the gorgeous flower boxes hanging in front of the house.

She passed away quietly in her sleep in the early morning of July 26, 2022 in her bed at her nursing home where she was loved by all with her beautiful smile and gracious demeanour. She and the family have been truly grateful for the wonderful care provided by the staff of True Davidson and by her personal caregivers.

There will be a service in Ruth’s memory at 11am on August 3 in the Outremont Room at the Mount Royal Funeral Complex, 1297 Chemin de la Forêt in Montreal, followed by a burial onsite. A live streaming link will be available on Ruth’s page on the funeral home website closer to the date. Visitation will take place at the same location from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday August 2.

Donations in Ruth’s memory can be made to Greenwood Gospel Chapel in Toronto for the children’s ministry, for which Ruth was a prayer warrior and supporter.

She would want us all to know that although she is leaving this world, she is present with the Lord, asleep in his everlasting arms.