Obituary of Judy Gail Carruthers

Judy Gail (Cruikshank) Carruthers passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025 surrounded by her loving family at home in their little piece of heaven in Caribou River NS after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Judy was born on May 13, 1949 in New Glasgow, on Friday the 13th no less for which we all agree was a lucky day indeed. She was the second daughter of the late Albert and Lillian (Chisholm) Cruikshank. Judy spent her early years in Greenwood before moving to Stellarton. Being a lover of animals, especially horses, she spent many days out at the Porter Farm in Mt. William tending to the horses and 51 ponies. She enjoyed time spent at the cottage in Big Island and attending Allied Youth, CGIT, and Teen Town. It was at a dance at the Stellarton Vocational School where Jude met Ron and they began dating. How could this town gal pass up a handsome country boy? Upon her graduation from Stellarton High School in 1968, Judy attended the Aberdeen Hospital School of Nursing. She graduated from Nursing School as an RN in 1971 and remained a proud Aberdeen Alumnus. Ron and Judy married in 1971 and spent their early married life in Avonport where Judy worked at the Eastern Kings Hospital while Ron taught Industrial Arts at Horton High. Not long after, they returned to Pictou County where Ron joined Michelin Tire and Judy worked at the Aberdeen Hospital and later for Dr. Hamm. As a nurse, she worked with compassion, kindness and empathy; three traits that would become her legacy. Together, Judy and Ron raised 3 daughters; Tanya, Tara, and Lisa. Not long after Tanya was born, Judy made the decision to hang up her nursing cap to devote her time to raising her children. Judy’s daughters were her pride and joy. She and Ron raised their girls to be strong, independent women while also teaching them to be kind, to treat others as you would like to be treated, to be fair and the value of hard work. Judy demonstrated this when she returned to school to renew her RN license once the girls were older. She was an inspiration to her girls as she lived out one of her famous one liners “We can do anything if we try”. She returned to the work force and dedicated herself to at home palliative care nursing where she could ensure her patients were comfortable and cared for during their final days. In 2001, Judy took on what was likely her favorite roll as “Nana” when her first grandchild was born. Rhys, Keely, Blayse, Cooper, Blake and Sophie were her world, and she developed a special bond with all her grandkids. In later years, she welcomed Skylar and Harmony with open arms to her brood. She loved them all dearly “to the moon and back”. Nana was so proud of each one of her grandkids and loved to tell everyone she met about the latest news on the kids. She was their number one cheerleader never missing a game or an event and even took the time to co-ordinate her outfit with the colour of their team jerseys. She was lovingly known in the community as “Nana” from then on and she wore that title with pride. Judy’s home was filled with love, support, and homemade goodies. She was known throughout the community affectionately as “the biscuit lady”. She could make a cheese biscuit like no one else! She enjoyed baking and delivering them to family and friends and anyone that she felt needed a pick me up or a thank you. Always one to perform random acts of kindness, her cheese biscuits will live on in the history books of Pictou County as a symbol of delicious kindness. In 2005, Ron and Judy moved from Stellarton down to their cottage in Caribou River. It was a wonderful place to watch the grandkids grow up. Many days were spent enjoying the beach, the playground, and marveling at the most beautiful sunsets. She enjoyed tending to her garden, going to shows at the DeCoste Centre, taking photos of each and every moment, and spending time with the folks in her cottage community. She was full of life and love and was our soft place to land. Whether it was a word of encouragement after a hard day, or a soft warm hug, we all felt safe and loved in Nana’s arms. After Mom’s diagnosis, she spent her days at the cottage enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Northumberland Straight. Her door was always open to family and friends to come for a visit. As a true social butterfly, her visitors were like therapy for her. She remarked with a smile, “It’s like getting to be at my own celebration of life”. We want to thank all of you that were able to come and visit Mom, she truly enjoyed each one of you. Judy is survived by her loving husband Ron of 54 years, daughters Tanya (Mike) Stevenson, Tara (Jason Lynch) Carruthers, and Lisa (Rodger) Morash, grandchildren Rhys, Keely, & Blayse Stevenson; Cooper, Blake & Sophie Morash; Skylar & Harmony Lynch. Siblings Cheryl (Red) MacKean, Jim (Elizabeth MacLean) Cruikshank, Janice Cruikshank, Sister's in-law Janet (Carl) Mattatall, Sharon Layte, brother-in-law Neil (Jill Smith) Carruthers, beloved nieces and nephews Mike, Shauna, Whitney, Michael, Timothy, Troy, Bradley, Gina, Nick, & Justin. She was predeceased by her parents Albert and Lillian Cruikshank, in-laws Burns and Edith Carruthers, Aunts Laurine Chisholm, Mary Long, Margaret MacQuarrie, Uncle Fred Cruikshank, brothers-in-law Lee Carruthers and Bobby Carruthers. Ron and the girls would like to thank Rachel and the Palliative Care team, music therapist Heather Cameron, the VON for their wonderful in-home care, and everyone in her village who called, visited, made food, and sent their love. In memory of Mom, donations may be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society. As mom was a big fan of a random act of kindness, we invite you all to partake in making someone’s day a little bit brighter by doing an act of kindness in her memory. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. No one enjoyed a gathering of family and friends more than Mom. “Your time is good”.