Ruth Bailey (nee Varnell)

It is with heavy but full hearts that we announce the passing of Ruth Bailey on February 2, 2022. Ruth was the driving force behind the Bailey family and filled her 93+ years with family life which included love and guidance to her 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by Hill, her husband and true partner of 65 years, by her son John, and by her sister Evelyn. Ruth is lovingly remembered by her children, David (Kathy), Ken (Nancy) and Kathy Kryklywy (Ken), by Heather, her brother Jack Varnell, and by her grandchildren, Brian, Andrew, Deanna, Kristen, Jillian, James, Tom, Laura, Michelle, Lisa, Jamie and Jacqui.

Ruth was born in Toronto to Jack and Emma Varnell and attended Toronto Normal School in 1947 to become a primary school teacher in Toronto and later, in Etobicoke. From 1954, she devoted her time to family. In 1963, Ruth and Hill started their seasonal ventures into Haliburton cottage country and soon settled into their summer cottage on 12-Mile Lake which is still enjoyed by family today. Summer cottaging expanded to winter getaways when Ruth and Hill purchased their farm property near Minden in 1968. 1997 saw a permanent move from Etobicoke to Oro-Medonte where Ruth and Hill enjoyed rural life and shorter drives to the cottage, Mariposa, Theo’s and Kawartha Dairy.

Ever the adventurer and story-teller, Ruth continued to enjoy all outings up to the end of 2021. We will continue to recount her “Truth According to Ruth” stories in the coming years. A life well lived indeed! In recognition of cancer’s impact on Ruth’s family, donations in her memory may be made to lung cancer research or to ovarian cancer research.

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Ruth's life will take place Friday afternoon May 27, 2022. Interment at Ingoldsby Pioneer Cemetery at 12 o'clock. Celebration to Life to follow at 1 o'clock at the HALIBURTON COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME 13523 Hwy #118 Haliburton, Ontario 705-457-9209.