Obituary of Ruth Thelma MacFarlane

We sadly announce the peaceful passing of our mother, Ruth Thelma MacFarlane, 95, of East River Manor, New Glasgow and formerly a long-time resident of Stellarton, on April 16th, 2025 in the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Born in Truro, Nova Scotia on April 30, 1929, she was the daughter of Charles Richard and Christina (MacKenzie) Davis. Ruth grew up in Truro. She married her high school sweetheart Ken MacFarlane in Bear River, NS on July 27, 1950 and moved to Wolfville in the Annapolis Valley when Ken joined the Nova Scotia Light and Power Company as a lineman. In 1956, the family moved to Stellarton where she raised her five sons, and worked for her husband’s electrical contracting company, Lightening Electric Limited, as the controller. Together they built a home filled with love, warmth and cherished memories. Ruth was a member of Sharon St. John United Church and UCW, helping with many dinners, functions and events over the years. She was a devoted wife and mother proud of her family, and was honoured when the MacFarlane family was chosen to be Sharon St. John’s Centennial Family, on Christian Family Sunday. Ken and Ruth loved music and dancing, including square dancing with the Trenton Twirlers. They were both known for their singing and musical talents at regular ceilidhs in the neighborhood, with Ruth on the piano and Ken on guitar and fiddle. Ruth was a fierce card player, and Skip-Bo master. Ruth was a gracious hostess and made everyone welcome in her home from bridge night with the ladies to her boys many friends. Ruth enjoyed gardening and being at home; while Ken was an outdoors sportsman, who wisely named his boat “Ruthless”. Ruth’s talented cross stitch and knit projects are now treasures. She was known for her love of books, crosswords, and her famous cinnamon rolls. Her baking talents and traditions were happily passed on to her grand daughters. Ruth was a beautiful lady who appreciated fashion and was always stylishly dressed. Ruth is survived by her five sons: David (Marlene), Hantsport; Chris (Veronica), Stellarton; Kim (Debbie), Stellarton; Gregory, Ottawa; Robert (Claire), Eureka; ten grandchildren: Shaun, Meaghan, Chrisgina (Kevin) Avery, Violet, Elizabeth, Brittany, Maxim (Sanjana), Ian, Kimberlee and Kristen; and eight great-grandchildren, Karleigh (Colin) Boyle, Sienna, Christopher, Luke, Kennedy Ruth, Joseph, Ariel and Brielle. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Kenneth, in 2015; a granddaughter, Victoria Ashley, in 1999; and a brother, Ralph Davis, in 2020. Her remains will rest at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Visitation will be held Saturday, April 19th at 12:00 – 2:00 pm, at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home Chapel with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 pm, with Rev. Jun-Hyok Chon presiding. Burial will take place at a later date at Heatherdale Memorial Gardens. Family flowers only. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.angusfuneralhomes.com.