Ruby Isabella Evangeline Shankowsky
(nee Tebbutt)
August 15, 1926 – March 25, 2025
Ruby was born east of Owen Sound in the tiny hamlet of Fairmount. She had many fond memories of farming life, especially the sights and smells of a typical, colourful Southern Ontario autumn.
Ruby started school in Chatsworth, then continued her elementary grades in Markdale as her father, Murray, moved the family to manage a farm in the area. In the fall of 1936, at the tender age of 10, Ruby lost her mother, Ethel, to pneumonia.
Ruby’s family life changed immensely after the passing of her mother. Her father was once again looking for steady employment, but now also needed help raising his three children. Ruby and her brother Frank (the middle child) were taken to Detroit to live with her father’s sister. Unfortunately, Ruby’s youngest brother, Lorne, fell into the care of Family Services.
Over the next couple of years, Ruby completed grades five and six in the United States, returning to Southern Ontario in the summer to live with various friends and family members. She then adamantly refused to return to the U.S. From ages 12 to 15, she worked for room and board as a nanny and caregiver in a variety of households. Ruby grew up quickly during this period in her life. Although the families she worked for were kind to her, the days were long and there was seldom time for play or socializing with others her age.
With the help of a relative, 15-year-old Ruby found steady employment at Ferrantic Electric in Toronto. It was an hour commute to work, which made for an extremely long day, but Ruby was determined. Within a year, she obtained a full-time position in the woodworking department of Fleet AirCraft. Even better, she met Harry, who worked as an aluminum welder and riveter on the war planes they were assembling.
Ruby married Harry in October of 1944. They continued to work at Fleet AirCraft until the war ended in 1945 and the factory closed. Seeking new employment opportunities and a place to raise their family, Ruby and Harry moved west. First to Red Rock, then later to Kenora and Ignace, and eventually back to Kenora. The next 10 years were challenging for Ruby as she cared for her three young children in rather difficult circumstances, while helping Harry build two homes: one in Kenora and the other in Ignace. They welcomed their fourth child in 1965.
Ruby seldom complained, and showed her resilience daily. She loved being a stay-at-home mom and was known for her kind and generous personality. She made friends easily and welcomed everyone into her home. Our mother was a great cook, and also a capable handywoman, able to tackle and fix most yard and house maintenance problems on her own.
After Ruby’s osteoporosis diagnosis, she embarked on a daily routine of walking (weather permitting) to help maintain her general health and most importantly, her bone density. Her commitment to this daily routine was admirable, to say the least. She walked with a purpose and logged countless kilometres. Many locals, both in Kenora and Ignace (her summer home), knew her as “the little old lady with the white hair.”
Mom was never one to be idle. She was always available to help others and did so with a passion and a smile or laugh. Ruby definitely had a green thumb and her house and garden plants flourished under her watchful eye. She grew all types of garden veggies from seed and enjoyed sharing them with friends, neighbours and family. Her flower gardens at camp were beautiful, full of geraniums, pansies, marigolds, lilies, and especially poppies, her favourite flower.
Ruby’s zest for life and positive outlook were the defining traits that shaped her incredible life. She was, and still is, an inspiration to all of us. She always tried to be optimistic and find the best in everyone while concentrating on being a good person with a strong and healthy attitude regarding her work ethic, family values, and morals.
Ruby was truly loved and will be sorely missed by her children Donna Shankowsky-Day of Callander, ON; Daniel Shankowsky (Anne) of Kenora, ON; and Kevin Shankowsky (Lorna) of Mississauga, ON; and by her son-in-law Bryan Welch of Elora, ON.
Also missing her are her nine grandchildren and their partners: Krista Scott Dixon (Pete Cockeram) of Vancouver, BC; Elissa Cinnamon (Sean) of Ottawa, ON; Kayla Scott Henderson (Shawn) of Aurora, ON; Birch Barnes (Jessica) of Callander, ON; Terra Barnes-DeGagné (Shawn) of Callander, ON; Jennifer Roberts (Rich) of Winnipeg, MB; Evan Shankowsky (Cassidy) of Cranbrook, BC; Adrienne Maschke (Brent) of Edson, AB; and Justine Rivard (Christian) of Winnipeg, MB.
She also leaves 13 great-grandchildren: Charlotte, Halen, Quinlon, Sloane, Hunter, Ryland, Baye, Mac, Kieran, Colton, Callie, Henley and Kennedy.
Ruby was predeceased by her daughter, Karen Welch of Elora, ON in December of 2022, and by her husband, Harry, of 59 years, in July 2003. Also by her parents, Ethel and Murray Tebbutt, step-mother Elsie, brothers Frank and Lorne Tebbutt, sisters-in-law Mary DuCharme and Flo Tebbutt, brothers-in-law Jim DuCharme and Stan MacBeth, and sons-in-law Randy Scott, Ted Day and Bob Barnes.
Ruby often commented that the nursing and care staff at Pinecrest Home for the Aged took good care of her. She seldom had any real concerns and we are very thankful for their professional and sincere attention to Ruby’s needs.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life for her family will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Kenora, the Kenora Cat Shelter or a charitable organization of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Shankowsky family may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com