Obituary of Ruth Landers

Passed away peacefully on July 24, surrounded by her loved ones at the Fredericton Hospice House after a lengthy struggle with kidney disease. Ruth was born in Spanish Ship Bay, Guysborough Co., Nova Scotia on February 29, 1936 to the late Captain John and Bridie (Langille) Dingle. Her first few hours of life were so uncertain that she was placed in a warm oven until the minister could arrive to have her baptized. Boy, did she prove everyone wrong as she was feisty and determined from the get-go. At the age of four, the family moved to Port Hawkesbury and she was a proud Cape Bretoner from then on. Ruth was predeceased by her husband Murray in 2003, son Dean Landers in 2017, as well as siblings John, Dorothy, Max and Jeanie. She is survived by son Shawn (Julie) of Fredericton and daughter Heather of Halifax; daughter-in-law Kelly Landers of Fredericton and brother Duncan Dingle of New Glasgow. Ruth’s greatest joys were her grandchildren, Matthew, Grace, Ian and Ella, all of Fredericton, often referring to them as "the light of my life". Ruth is also survived by many adored nieces and nephews and their children, cousins, and extended Landers’ family. Ruth started her career in the Royal Bank working for seven years until Murray swept her off her feet when he arrived as the new banker in town with the Bank of Montreal. Ruth then became a stay at home mom to Shawn, Dean and Heather. Her love of cooking and baking always filled the home with wonderful smells and lots of neighborhood kids ringing the doorbell wanting one of Mrs. Landers’ cookies. Through the years, when Murray was transferred with the bank from city to city, they lived in Charlottetown, St. John’s, Dartmouth, Chatham, Saint John, and lastly Fredericton, where they made their home to this day. Ruth made many lifelong friends from wherever they lived and kept in touch with them all. Ruth loved to knit, bake and play rummoli and cards. She lived her life with zest for her children and grandchildren. Ruth could always be found at their school events, concerts and at the field or rink as a proud mother and grandmother. Over the years she enjoyed camping with family and friends all over the Maritimes, Maine and New Hampshire. A sun worshipper even until a few weeks ago, she enjoyed many trips to Florida with her daughter Heather. Ruth also loved to sing. No matter where they lived, she always joined the church choir, and was always active in the church and volunteered in the life of each community. When Murray’s health started to fail, Ruth vowed to keep him home and took exceptional care of him until his passing. Forever proud and humble and not one for attention. So much so that on her 75th and 80th birthdays forbidding us to throw her a party, instead she took the whole family to Florida and Cuba for wonderful family trips and memories to last a lifetime. That was Ruth’s way. She had a wonderful sense of humour, so pleasant and easy, always seeing the positive in everything. She encouraged others to be positive as things could always be worse and believed everything happened for a reason. And her famous advice "no sense worrying about something you can’t change" and "what will be will be". Ruth’s family would like to thank the wonderful and compassionate staff at the Fredericton Hospice for their excellent care over the last two weeks. Visitation will take place on Monday, July 27, 2020 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at McAdam's Funeral Home with social distancing respected. A funeral service for invited family and friends only will be held from the New Maryland United Church on July 28 at 2:00 pm with live streaming that can be accessed through the following link: https://vimeo.com/441443831 In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the New Brunswick Extra Mural Program (Fredericton Division), Fredericton Hospice House, or the New Maryland United Church. Personal condolences may be offered through McAdam's Funeral Home.