Obituary of Margaret Ruth Pearson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ruth Pearson, wife, mother, and nana, after her courageous battle with leukemia. Ruth was born January 27, 1944 in Lindsay Ontario to Reverend T. H. (Harry) Bridle and Gilbertina (Berta) Bridle. As a child, Ruth and her sister Mary moved frequently to parishes in Ontario and Minnesota. She completed high school in Alliston, Ontario and pursued a degree in nursing. While attending the University of Toronto, she met and fell in love with Doug Pearson, who she later married in 1966. Completing her Bachelor of Nursing Degree in 1967, Ruth embarked on a career teaching obstetrics to nurses’ aides at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Doug and Ruth enjoyed many adventures together, including travelling through Europe in 1968. She left her nursing position when they welcomed their first daughter, Suzanne in 1969. Mom and Dad relocated to Mexico City then back to Toronto where Christine was born in 1971. After again moving, this time to Ottawa, Mom and Dad left for Winnipeg in 1974 and settled into their home in Westwood where they would live for the next 45 years. Ruth loved the family feel of Westwood and enjoyed many hijinks and good times with friends and neighbours. She enjoyed the camaraderie of all the ladies in her bridge group, and the neighbours on the block. Mom was a wonderful mother and was very supportive of all her girls’ activities. With the next generation, she continued her unconditional support to her grandsons’ endeavors. She was a strong foundation for our family. Re-entering the workforce when her daughters were teenagers, Ruth spent several years working at Hudson’s Bay and Carlton Cards until she retired. Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Berta Bridle and her mother and father-in-law, Robert and Gladys Pearson. She will be greatly missed by her husband Doug; daughters Suzanne (Glenn), Antonio and Christine Pearson (Neal Boyd); grandsons Eric and Mark Antonio; her sister Mary and family; and brother-in-law Nick Pearson and family. We wish to thank all who assisted mom on her journey, including the doctors and nurses at CancerCare, Palliative Care, and Riverview Health Centre. A reception to share memories of Ruth will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba.