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Ruth Lardner
September 10, 1927 - September 9, 2015
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<div itemprop="description"><br /><br />Ruth Lardner<br /><br />Ruth&rsquo;s full maiden name was Dorothy Ruth Helena Marlow. She was born on September 10th, 1927 in Walsall, England. She was always adventurous and wanted to do her bit in the war; so she &lsquo;adjusted&rsquo; her birth certificate and joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (A.T.S.) in 1944 when still only 16 and a half years old. She served almost four years in the British Army. Initially she was an ambulance driver. Being athletic she was later selected to train as a physical training instructor. That led her to a stage performance &ndash; at London&rsquo;s Albert Hall, where her group put on a gymnastic exhibition for our future Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, who also, incidentally, was a member of the ATS. In late 1946 she volunteered to go to Germany, where she became a driver again, chauffeuring generals in her favourite Bentley. Here she had the scary but interesting experience of being, briefly, a prisoner of the Russians. While on leave in 1945 she met her future husband, Bill. They fell in love and although parted whilst they each served overseas, married in 1948. Ruth and Bill moved to Canada, arriving in Ottawa in 1952 and finally settling in Toronto in 1953. Here they worked together to raise a close knit family and create a prosperous business. They were a very active couple, joining the Donalda Club in 1966 and participating in golf, curling, and tennis, at which Ruth became a very keen and competent player. Between Ruth and Bill they made sure their kids developed this same drive in tennis, hockey and eventually any of the sports they took up. They have many fond memories of Mom driving them to venues and being an active supporter.<br />Ruth devoted herself to raising a family and providing a home. That she was successful in that career choice is amply demonstrated by the results. She has been the rock on which this close-knit family was founded. Ruth gave freely of her time to many non-profit organizations. She organized a drivers&rsquo; group, transporting cancer patients to and from Princess Margaret Hospital, participated in Meals on Wheels and was one of the earliest supporters of the North York Food Bank, continuing her support to this day. Ruth will forever be missed and fondly remembered by Bill and by her children, Rychard (Janet), Janice (Jack), Andy (Marlene), and Claire (Cris); her grandchildren, Tom (Katie), Will (Cindy), Mike, Alex (Chad), Sam, Leane, Sage, and Jae; and her great grandchildren, Ben and Ewan. Memorial visitation Thursday Sep 17th, 4:00-8:30 p.m. in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Visitation Centre, 375 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Toronto [east gate entrance on Mt. Pleasant Rd., north of St. Clair Ave., 416-485-5572]. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, 610 University Ave, Toronto, M5G 2M9; 416-946-6560 Option 1; www.thepmcf.ca.&rdquo; For online condolences and information, please visit www.etouch.ca<br /></div>