Ruby Geraldine Siteman

SITEMAN, Ruby Geraldine (GERRARD) – It with deep sadness that we share the peaceful passing of Ruby Siteman, age 83, at Dartmouth General Hospital ICU, on the evening of July 30, 2024. Born March 3, 1941, in Ship Harbour, Nova Scotia, she was the eldest daughter of Guy and Ella (Eisan) Gerrard. Ruby spent the first 7 years of her life in the ‘country’ before moving to Woodside with her parents and two brothers. She told stories of travelling by many a bus/trolly, crossing the harbour to her job as an operator with Maritime Telephone & Telegraph on North Street in Halifax. There, she met the love of her life and future husband, Donald. They married in 1962 and Ruby’s focus then shifted to becoming a full-time homemaker. She truly embodied the very essence of this role - her home was always spotless; clothing was perfectly pressed, and her cooking methods were likened to a simpler era, that included daily breadmaking to canning and making jams and jellies and old-world recipes like her favourite ‘Lunenburg Kohl Slaw’. Ruby and Don made their life in their Fairview home raising their two sons, Robb and Mark. They were rarely apart and enjoyed a quiet lifestyle, between their city home and country cottage in Ship Harbour during almost 60 years of marriage. She was a longtime member of Fairview United Church – active in the earlier years, she was a member of the UCW, unit ‘Endeavour’, attending and hosting many meetings and events, and she also worked in the church nursery for over 25 years, caring for the little ones during Sunday morning services. Christmas Eve gatherings at her home were a special family memory - her ‘Pineapple Chicken’ was the crowd favourite! She loved Christmas and all the traditions that went into making it a special time. Ruby loved being ‘Gramma’ to Olivia and Jeffrey, spoiling them both at every opportunity. She loved to have a good gossip over a cup of coffee or tea with anyone who would listen to her. Her recollection of details from past and present was unmatched. She really enjoyed travelling . . . by plane, train and automobile! . . . visiting Canadian and US localities, with a few longer trips to Florida and New Orleans. Her most memorable and last vacation in 2012 was her lifelong wish to see the Canadian Rockies, accompanied by her son Mark, daughter-in-law Denise and granddaughter, Olivia. After Don’s passing in 2022, her health and mobility continued to decline, and she recently moved into Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home. There, she enjoyed having caring staff around her, loved watching the little birds come to the feeder outside her window and she liked the food and dining room conversation – her wit was still quick and sharp! The family extends a sincere thank you to the Oakwood staff – we know Ruby felt welcomed and content during her brief stay. Left with happy memories are her family: son Robb (Brenda) and grandson Jeffrey of Timberlea; son Mark (Denise) and granddaughter Olivia (Mark Benoit) of Halifax, and as well as her two brothers Doug Gerrard (Doreen) of Ship Harbour, and Jim Gerrard (Kim) of Carroll’s Corner, along with several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the amazing ICU staff at Dartmouth General for their compassionate care during Ruby’s final days. A family graveside service will be held at Fairview Lawn Cemetery on August 7th. Cremation has taken place, entrusted to Harbourside Crematorium.