Ruth Merkley
Died: January 4, 2023 | Place: Westmount Gardens Long Term Care, London
Obituary
MERKLEY, Ruth…
Dec. 11, 1921 – Jan. 4, 2023
Margaret Ruth Merkley (nee Duncan) passed on peacefully at Westmount Gardens LTC. A righteous life well lived. Predeceased by husband Ray in 2003. Ruth was the youngest and last remaining of her four other Duncan/Dunkin clan siblings. Her positive outlook on life and aging gracefully an inspiration to all. Resided independently and comfortably the past seven years at Grand Wood Retirement. Jeopardy, Antiques Roadshow, crosswords and reading anything biographical kept her mind sharp as a tack.
Valedictorian of her 1935 graduation class at Lady Beck P.S. in east London. The depths of the difficult 1930’s depression years forced her family to move in with a relative on Duchess Ave. in south London. She attended South Collegiate graduating in 1940 then on to Wells Academy (stenography) before venturing and contributing to the local wartime workforce. Marrying in June 1944 to Ray C. Merkley of Williamsburg Ont., a Clinton RCAF radar training base officer, and settling into post-war family life as a caring mom and fulltime homemaker. Creative, innovative seamstress, great family chef and hostess, loving gardener, caring and giving friend to many.
Deeply missed and survived by three sons David (the late Sharon, 2019), Alan, and Robert (Eileen); four grandsons Michael (Nadia), Daniel (Erica), Alan and Steven; and two great-grandchildren Lucca and Bianca, as well as numerous nieces and nephews across Canada, Australia and Ireland.
Family ceremony of interment of ashes at Mount Pleasant Cemetery to be arranged. Sympathy donations appreciated and made to Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1 Frank Place, London, ON N6C 1W1. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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Very sorry to hear about your mother.
Sorry to hear about your mum Al, and condolences to the rest of the family. Sorry I´m an ocean away, so can´t be at the funeral. Thanks for attending my parents departures!
So sorry to read of your Mom’s passing, Alan. Looks like she was a proud South Lion and went on to have a very fulfilling life and loving family. Hold on to wonderful memories and she will be with you forever.
Al, your Mom was like another Mom to all of us in the neighbourhood. She was a wonderful lady! have my my sincere condolences to you and your family at this most difficult time. Rob Arnsby.
Al, my thoughts are with you and your family
It is not possible in a few words to express what a wonderful and kind person Aunt Ruth was, especially to her own family . But my children and I also are indebted for her care somewhere and at sometime along the way : London, Fort Walton Beach. Even one of our terrible cats,Mao, had the privilege of staying with the Merkleys in the early 70s. We will miss her terribly. She was a truly remarkable person . Rosemary Gagan Winnipeg
It is hard to write this little tribute to a truly remarkable person who has been a part of my experience for more than 80 years as my Aunt Ruth. She provided much support to us in London and also fun at Fort Walton Beach and even cared for our bad cat Mao when we moved from Calgary to Burlington so long ago. She was a loving and kind person who will not be forgotten.
Al, I’m so sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. What a long active life she led! I really enjoyed the pictures in the Photo Gallery. In the meantime hang onto to your precious memories (and those photos).
Very sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing.
A live well lived and good memories from the old neighbourhood.
John Nagata