Obituary of Ruth Viola Knickle
Ruth was a Renaissance woman.
Married in 1949, she and Dad had moved from Nova Scotia to start a new adventure in Toronto. He had been courted by DeVry Technical Institute to teach the rudiments of radio and television. She emerged from her administrative work with AVRO in the 50’s to try new things.
For as long as I can remember she had something cooking...some new adventure to try... our kitchen was turquoise (her second favourite colour) only because dad could not sign off on a pink kitchen.
She was a brilliant seamstress and made all my clothes. I remember profusely sweating and itching in a freshly minted yellow mohair ensemble at my school piano recital. There were Ruth Knickle jackets and skirts and pants and scarves of every colour and cut.
Then came North American Fashion Frocks, a kind of Tupperware franchise for clothing. Ruth was a fearless fashion entrepreneur. There were racks of funky classic clothing for every female taste in our living room and parties and order forms. I was not always the happy recipient of these retail leftovers. But it set the stage somewhere deep inside me for my future foray into vintage clothing.
And my father looked on...adoringly.
And there was her long journey as a copper enameling artist in the 60’s. A long-time member of the Toronto Metal Arts Guild, she designed earrings and pins and ashtrays sculpted in all manner of glass colour, eventually graduating to larger pieces in frames. My cousin Kim is the proud owner of her famous (still working) copper enameled clock. She had an annual booth at the CNE in the Arts and Crafts Building for years. From the age of nine I wandered freely through the Exhibition grounds without a care in the world. I hand painted golf ball earrings and sold them with her. My brother Laurie built a darkroom in the basement nurturing his skills as a photographer. She and Dad both inspired a carefree sprit and entrepreneurial instinct in us that still lasts to this day.
She studied and obtained her real estate license and worked for Royal LePage for years…There was Avon and Mary Kay cosmetics. She expanded her business horizons and recruited other enthusiasts with her eye on the pink Cadillac.
And my father looked on...adoringly.
They made their own wine long before it was de riguer.
Dad became a ham radio enthusiast and talked to other hams all over the world.…they loved their neighbours dearly and entertained constantly. Mom was a wonderful cook. There was melt in your mouth molasses bread, creamed asparagus on toastas a special treat for my teachers and special visitors and my greatgrandmother’s coffee chocolate cake.
They loved to travel; Hawaii, Scotland, Wales, St Lucia, Jamaica. There were campingtrips, train trips across Canada, fishing trip birthdays, Florida trips, World’s Fairs and the Calgary Stampede. There was square dancing, pool clubs, choirs and Barber Shop quartet competitions. There was hockey and lacrosse practice and piano lessons. There were tooth brush machines in hotels across the city.
Ruth and Vic remained deeply attached to each other for 56 years.They were especially thrilled with the arrival of their one and only grandson Hunter Edmund Knickle Willey, born to daughter Kerry and partner Tom Willey on April 25th 1998.
Mom faltered and lost her footing after Dad died January 2006. Despite her grief she carried on, driving her Corolla until age 87.
In 2013 she created a new business on the Etsy website, Ruth’s Apron Ties, creating 100 unique apron designs from men’s vintage silk ties.
A force of nature until her recent passing on Sept 18th at 91 years of age, Ruth will be missed, but now joins Dad in supreme peace.
Celebrate her life with us at a Ceremony of Scattering of both Ruth and Vic's ashes at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at the Scattering Garden of St. John's Norway Cemetery (256 Kingston Road at Woodbine, Toronto). Please enter off of Kingston Road and park along the cemetery lanes until being guided to the Scattering Garden. A Reception will follow at ViVetha Bistro, 2485 Queen Street East.
Memorial Donations can be made the Candian Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer Society Canada via the link provided here on her homepage.
Please share in your memories, photos and sentiments of Ruth and Vic's life here at her Memorial Webpage.
Uniquely entrusted to eco Cremation & Burial Services Inc.
Life Celebrations. Done Differently.
