December 7, 1927 – May 12, 2016

Ruby Lederhouse – Ruby Genevieve Rankin was born on December 7, 1927, to James and Alta – the middle child of five.  Ruby grew up in Petrolia, Ontario and attended the Brantford School for the Blind.  She trained as a Rehab teacher for the Blind working in several locations in Ontario before accepting a position in Saskatchewan in the late 1940s.  While working out of Saskatoon, she took on a new student who would become her husband, Phil.  Ruby resigned from her position when the CNIB wanted her to continue her work in Newfoundland – she replied that she had a better offer from Phil.  They were wed in Petrolia in a double wedding ceremony with her brother Grant and Saskatoon roommate, Rachel, on September 13, 1952. Together they owned and operated the canteens at the Holy Family and Victoria hospitals for over 60 years as well as the coat check at the Arcade Dance Hall in Prince Albert.  Ruby was an avid gardener and took great pride in her tomatoes and flower pots each summer.  She was known as an excellent and prolific knitter, designing and memorizing patterns for baby sweaters, afghans, mittens and slippers.  Ruby was first in Prince Albert to have a guide dog – “Toozie and the Lady” was a short award winning documentary which profiled the duo and together they would visit schools and clubs, educating the public about blindness.  Ruby was a long time member of the Toastmistresses, Top Hat Lions, Victoria Hospital Auxiliary, Blind Bowlers’ League and the White Cane Club.  Ruby passed away peacefully on May 12 after a short illness beginning on Mother’s Day.  Ruby was predeceased by her parents James and Alta Rankin; her brothers Grant and Keith; her sisters Bernice and Edna; numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law of both the Rankin and Lederhouse families; five loyal guide dogs (Toozie, Nectar, Cal, Indy and Jordie) and by her husband, Phil in 1991.  She is survived by her children Bryan, Grant and Lynda; son-in-law Mark Lutkin; grandchildren Jaryn (Susan) and Sarri, and great granddaughters Eleanor and Annika.  Thank you for the tremendous efforts of the ER and ICU staff, Drs. Ali, Ilie-Haynes, and Gallins, as well as the staff and residents on Paradise Path at the Herb Bassett Home.  Raise a cup of tea in Ruby’s memory.  Ruby’s service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Gray’s Funeral Chapel, 575 – 28th Street West, Prince Albert, SK with Ruby’s family officiating.  A private family interment will be held at the South Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Saskatchewan branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, (http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/sk) 301 – 2550 – 12th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1 or to a Charity of Donor’s Choice.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

 

• Date : 2016-05-12
• Location : Prince Albert, SK