(IDA) RUTH CROOK

With her children by her side, mom passed away on December 30, 2023.

Mom was born November 8, 1931 in Treherne, Manitoba. Predeceased by her husband Dennis, her son Douglas, parents Herb and Ida Barkwell, brothers Ray and Hubert, and sister Marion Smith. Left to mourn her passing are her son Glenn (Dana), daughter Allayne Porco (Ken), grandchildren, Jennifer (Dave) Beauchamp, Kevin (Leigh) Crook in Australia, Amanda Konrad (Scott Parker), Linden, and her great grandchildren, Theo, Callie, Kate, Natalie, Lily and Flynn.

She graduated early at 16 years old and moved to Winnipeg and began working.

Mom and Dad met at a friend’s wedding in Treherne, and soon moved to Lac du Bonnet, where they became the owners of the area newspaper known as the Springfield Leader for 15 years.

We moved to Winnipeg, in 1968.  Mom liked to be busy, so in 1970 she began her work as the secretary for the Manitoba Ladies Curling Association until her retirement in 1985.  To call her the secretary was an understatement. She worked out of our home, always willing to interrupt family dinner to take calls.  She eventually moved her office out of the house to the Manitoba Sports Federation building and the role changed to Manitoba Ladies Curling Sports Administrator. Her dedicated work was recognized with her induction as a Builder in the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame in 2008. We were all extremely proud of her.

Mom was a singer.  She had a beautiful and powerful soprano voice you could hear clearly when she sang, whether it was all the anthems at curling events, in the church choir or within the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir.  She was a cherished member of the Choir during her tenure, especially for the Easter Cantatas and Handel’s Messiah at Christmas. In her later years she missed singing, but always enjoyed the music.

Mom was an inspiration, always learning and staying on top of world/local events, as well as what was going on with the Bombers and Jets.

She endured some hard times with the loss of her first born child, Douglas, at the age of 4, and looking after dad as he incurred many ailments in his later years.

Mom took up golf and our family would go camping and golf at the many courses we enjoyed on our weekends and vacations.  One of our favourites was Wasagaming Golf Course while camping at Clear Lake.  Mom and Dad enjoyed the game here in Winnipeg, Steinbach and when they travelled to Arizona to escape the cold.

Mom was small but mighty.  She continued to live independently, requiring only some assistance with grocery shopping when larger items were on the list, or it was too cold to venture out. Mom loved to walk, and if the weather was not favourable, she would walk the halls of The Waterfront Condominium where she lived.  She enjoyed going for her weekly hair appointments, and visiting with the friends she made who worked at the local Coop Grocery.  She made friends everywhere she went.

Mom was very sorry to be missing out on seeing her great grandchildren grow up more, and not meeting the newest addition – Flynn, born a few weeks ago in Perth, Australia.

Thank you to the staff on Unit 4A South at St Boniface for your care and compassion with her and our family.

Special thanks to Dr Lori Hilderman, our long time physician.  Her care and compassion is what helped address any health issue our family has faced and we are all very grateful for her care.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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