Ruth Elizabeth Wilson

On Friday November 28, 2025, Ruth Elizabeth Wilson, loving mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 79.

Ruth was born on November 2, 1946 in Winnipeg MB, to Betty and George Harris. She graduated as a registered nurse from the St Boniface School of Nursing in 1967 and bachelor of Nursing from the University of Manitoba in 1971. She lived overseas for many years with her former husband Brian, living in Malawi and Lesotho and travelling to many countries in Africa. Ruth raised her family in Ottawa and moved to Vancouver in 1999.

Ruth had many cherished friends and loved to send letters and cards to keep in touch with those near and far. Friendships grew from shared experiences (living in Malawi and Perkins QC), shared interests (bridge club, craft club, ikebana), shared work (CUSO, BC Women & Children’s Hospital) and shared faith (Harrow, Kingsway and Canadian Memorial United Churches of Canada). Ruth lived a full and active life. She loved to travel; she explored Japan, hiked the Camino, enjoyed the beaches of Cuba, and spent time with friends in England, Switzerland, Ireland and USA. Wherever she was, her laughter would echo across the room. Her most treasured role was that of grandma and she loved sharing experiences with her grandchildren. Whether it was baking cookies, exploring art galleries and museums, spending time outdoors at parks, splash pads, water slides and pools, or walking through neighborhoods.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and George Harris, her in-laws Mildred and Len Wilson, and sister-in-law Pat Kowlessar. She is survived by her daughters, Samantha and Sandra, grandchildren Valen, Isabelle and Vincent; her brother Craig (Chizuko) and nephew Philip; her former husband Brian Wilson (June), brother-in-law Neal Kowlessar and nieces Debra and Jennifer; former son-in-law Jeremy Clark.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Vancouver in early summer 2026. If you would like to be contacted with details, please email: celebrateruthwilson@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Ruth’s memory to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada or to a charity that holds special meaning for you.