Ruth Edith Kelly

Kelly(McKelvey), Ruth Edith

It is with great sadness that we announce that Ruth Edith Kelly went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior and is reunited with her husband Ken Kelly and firstborn son Dane, on Monday, September 25th, with her family by her side, in her 89th year. Ruth was born in Alliston, Ontario on May 31, 1935. She married Ken Kelly and was his devoted wife for 66 years. They welcomed 3 boys into their family, Dane 1961 (predeceased 1963), Brock (Tracey) 1963, Aaron (Ada) 1966. A cherished Gramma to Dane (Calley), McKelvey (Logan), Avery (Jeff), Cole (Carissa), Taryn (Owen), and Great “Big” Gramma to Lincoln and Aria.

Ruth was a much loved sister to Jean (Bert), Aunt to their children Kelly (Jim) and Tanya (Ian), sister in law to Olive ‘Kel’ (Jim) Edgar, Bert (Lola) Kelly, John (Betty) Kelly, Gord (Vera) Kelly, Dave (Joan) Kelly, Sam (Shirley) Kelly, Barb (Earl) Collins, Roy (Aase) Kelly, Gary (Betty) Kelly, Bill (Sheila) Kelly and many more nieces and nephews.

Ruth was a longtime resident of Beeton Ontario. Her parents were well known in the community, her Father, Doc McKelvey, who was a veterinarian, the General Manager of the House of Refuge, which later became the Beeton Manor as well as the Reeve of Beeton, and her mother Mable who was a wonderful helpmate to her husband and fully involved in the running of the Manor. Ruth was also tasked to work at the Manor along with her sister Jean at a young age. Ruth preferred working alongside her Uncle Harry, who was the handyman around the Manor and was often seen in the barn with the horses or driving the tractor.

She went on to complete her post-secondary education in Toronto to become a teacher. She said there were three choices at the time for women, a secretary a nurse or a teacher and she much preferred the latter as her vocation in life. She spent most of her teaching career at Base Borden teaching Grade 8, and most Friday nights would meet up with her sister Jean and her brother-in-law Bert Platt, both teachers, regaling the past week’s events in their respective schools. She enjoyed her profession and often would recall the days of practicing for school plays or getting her students to complete their assignments. Her career of 33 years as a teacher was very rewarding and she cherished many friendships along the way.

On July 21, 1956, Ruth married Ken Kelly. They had met at a young age and Dad knew at the age of 12 that he would marry her someday. They enjoyed a wonderful life together filled with a lot of hockey, travel and welcoming 3 cherished sons. They also had time for many wonderful lifelong friendships and their social calendar was always full of many a gathering. Ruth recalled many hockey events as she tagged along with Ken and the Oldtimer team from Beeton. She always enjoyed the social events and the shenanigans of her husband who was usually dressed up in some sort of get up to garner a laugh from their friends, life was full of laughter.

After 33 years of teaching Ruth decided to retire. She entered retirement with enthusiasm and filled her days with gatherings with friends and family. She was an avid card player, bridge being her specialty, but her grandchildren remember her as a gifted euchre player. She was a proud Gramma and always cherished the time she had with them. It was during this time Ken and Ruth decided to make Haliburton home for 16 years. She enjoyed her time on the lake, but Beeton was always home for her. They moved back in 2015 and eventually moved into Simcoe Village, the same place she lived as a girl when her parents ran the Manor. She often commented that she had come home!

She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. As a family, we would like to extend our thanks to Talbot Manor staff for their care of Mom over the last 5 months and to the care team at St Joseph’s Hospice in London for the care and comfort they extended to Mom and her family in her final hours.

The family will receive friends at Rod Abrams Funeral Home 1666 Tottenham Rd., Tottenham 905-936-3477, on Wednesday October 4, 2023 from 11am until the time of Funeral Service in the chapel at 12pm. Reception will follow. Interment will be held in Trinity Cemetery Beeton. For those who wish donations in Ruth’s memory to Canadian Cancer Society – Childhood Cancer would be appreciated. Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.

*** TO VIEW A RECORDING OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE, PLEASE CLICK HERE***