Obituary of Ruby Margaret West

WEST, RUBY MARGARET (BRYCE) Ruby passed away after a short illness in the arms of her family at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Saturday February 25, 2012 in her 92nd year. After graduation from Mimico High School in 1939 and completing a post graduate certificate in office administration, Ruby began a lifetime of community service with her husband Ken who predeceased her in 1977. During the Second World War her career as a hospital volunteer began as a nursing assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital Centre in Toronto, followed by 58 years of consecutive dedicated service to the Queensway/Trillium Health Centre. Together with her husband they founded and built West Office Supply, becoming president of the company after his passing in 1977. Together they raised funds to break ground on the Queensway Hospital recognizing the need for a hospital in the West End of Toronto. Ruby’s late husband, Kenneth, was one of the founders of Queensway Hospital now know as Trillium Health Centre, in the 1950s. Ruby served many years with the Volunteer Auxiliary and eventually assumed the role of Director of Volunteers for Queensway. After retirement she became a member of the Queensway Board of Governors and was recognized by the City of Etobicoke and the Province of Ontario for her longstanding service. During these years she was instrumental in raising funds for much needed expansion and equipment. Following the merger with Mississauga Hospital, Ruby continued her work at both sites as a volunteer with the newly formed Trillium Health Centre until 2010. In addition, Ruby was a member of the I.O.D.E and Business and Professional Women’s Club where she focused on women’s issues and the opening of Community Colleges in Ontario. She was also the local Brownie and Girl Guide leader in her Orchard Heights neighborhood. Ruby raised the bar for all of us as well as her community. She always felt she gained more than she gave through the many friends who meant so much to her over her lifetime. Ruby is the loving mother of Kenneth Gary West of Penticton, B.C. and Karen Cobb (Jon) of North Bay; loving grandmother to Steven West (Kristen), Tara Grinage (Shawn), Morgan West (Tyler), Joel Cobb (Kirsten), Graham Cobb (Crystal) and Paul Cobb (Vanessa) and great grandchildren Clark, Jessica, Mathew, Meghan, Mason and Ferial. Predeceased by her sister Glenys Healey. Visitation @ Turner & Porter ‘Peel Chapel’, 2180 Hurontario Street on Sunday March 11, from 9 to 11:00am with a service to celebrate her life at 11:00am; reception to follow. If desired, donations to Trillium Health Centre can be made through the Volunteers of Trillium Health Centre, 150 Sherway Drive, Toronto, Ontario M9C 1A5 and would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.