Ruby Chu Hein passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday morning, February 23, 2026.
Ruby is survived by her two sons, Gerald (Camille) and David; her grandchildren, Meghan (Evan) and Justin (Sonia); and her beloved great-grandchildren, Otis and Chet.

Born in Canton, China, Ruby immigrated to Canada in 1949 through an arranged marriage. She began her married life in Timmins, Ontario, where she raised her two sons. Determined and hardworking, she later moved to Toronto to attend hairdressing school, graduating in 1959. She returned to Timmins and proudly opened her first business, Ruby’s Beauty Land.

After the untimely passing of her husband in 1964, Ruby relocated permanently to Toronto. As a single mother, she worked multiple jobs to support her sons and save toward her dream of business ownership. Through perseverance and grit, she eventually purchased two commercial properties, one on Sheppard Avenue and another on Eglinton Avenue, where she successfully operated her hairdressing business until her retirement.

Ruby raised her boys with fierce love and quiet sacrifice, ensuring they completed university and became independent. Later in life, she remarried briefly, but her greatest devotion always remained with her family.

In retirement, Ruby embraced life with characteristic energy. She was an active member of the Tai Chi Society, practiced yoga, and took long walks along the Humber River. She loved to travel, embarking on group trips around the world to see places she had long dreamed of. She volunteered at a local soup kitchen and opened her home and table to anyone who needed warmth, her soups and meals were legendary among those who loved her. Strong-willed yet gentle, she had a remarkable ability to get things done with grace.

In her final years, Ruby became a cherished member of the community at Lakeside Long Term Care, where she remained her social, engaged self. She participated in outings, sat on the social committee as Vice President, and made a point of welcoming new residents, offering tours and a familiar, friendly face to help them feel at home. Among the many friendships she formed there, one stood out: a fellow resident named Margaret, who was nonverbal and had limited mobility. Ruby visited her regularly, offering conversation and quiet companionship, and Margaret’s family later shared that their mother had grown noticeably happier in her presence. It was Ruby in a nutshell, she always found someone who needed looking after.

Ruby will be dearly missed by the staff and residents of Lakeside, and her family extends heartfelt thanks for the care, compassion, and love they showed her.