Ruth Margaret Sands

Ruth Margaret Sands (née Dennis)

 Ruth's family is profoundly saddened to announce her passing. Born October 8, 1929, Ruth passed away peacefully at Bluewater Health on December 15, 2024 with family at her side, after a long and fulfilling life.

To her last day, she was a Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma, concerned about and insistent upon taking care of her family. Famously the last person to join the dinner table and the one who always made sure that table had at least one of your favourites, Mom was quick to problem solve and loved sharing her life experience, including her recipes for those favourites (even though they never tasted as good as when she made them). Even in her 96th year, she remained a woman determined to be active and engaged, both physically and mentally. Interested in subjects of all kinds, from history and politics to science and sports, we had wonderful conversations on a myriad of topics, right until she was hospitalized. A fan of the Sarnia Sting, she was an inaugural season ticketholder for over a decade and faithful watcher of every game on TV in her later years. Her love for the Sting was only slightly greater than her disdain for the London Knights. 

Stubborn and fiercely independent, our Mom was determined to do what she could as long as she could, and was very happy that she was able to live in her home until the end of her life. She walked inside every day, counting her 3,000 steps, and spent time weeding and raking her garden just a few weeks ago. 

Mom was a faithful member of the United Church of Canada, attending St. Paul's for most of her life. As someone that grew up in tough times during the Depression, Mom knew how to save, but also believed in giving back. She was a weekly volunteer at Inn of the Good Shepherd food bank for over a decade. As a member of the "Junior Seniors" at St. Paul's until our Dad's death, Mom would prepare and serve food for funerals and weddings at the church. 

Mom and Dad were inseparable from their marriage in 1950 until his death in 2006. Their family was their pride and joy, but they were business partners as well as life partners, operating Tilden Rent-a-Car in Sarnia from 1955 to 1983.

We are so grateful to have had her for as long as we did. The loss is grieved by her brother Lorne Dennis (Shirley), and her children Cheryl Nichol (Robert), Marilyn Anderson (Jim), Richard, and Douglas (Lori), as well as grandchildren Matthew (Catherine), Ian (Allison), Darren (Emmanuelle), Lauren (Mike), Lesley, Catharine (Doron), Amelia (Victor), Meg (Mitch), Dylan, and Shelby. She was a proud GG to great grandchildren Laurel, Chloe, Ellie, Zach, J.B., Elijah, Teddy, Kasper, and Lucas.

Mom was the daughter of the late Vera and Elgine Dennis. She is also predeceased by her husband Don, her sister Lylla Sim (David) and brother Earl (Elaine), as well as great-grandson Teddy. 

In accordance with her wishes, Mom's ashes will be interred at Lakeview Cemetery, with a private memorial service at a later time. Donations in her memory can be made to the Inn of the Good Shepherd   https://www.theinnsarnia.ca/ 

Arrangements are entrusted to the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (102 N. Victoria St, Sarnia, ON, N7T 5W9). Memories and messages of condolence may be sent through www.djrobb.on.ca