The Kaufman family is saddened to announce the death of Ruth Kaufman on November 29th, 2023 in her 94th year.
Ruth was the beloved wife of the late Gordon (2017) for more than 67 years. She will be remembered and missed by their children Judith Sangster, Don (Janet), David (Mary Beckett), Barbara Hernandez (Fred), Bruce (Sonia Tyhonchuk), and Robin (Patricia Mannard). She was the proud grandmother of Tim Sangster (Jane Robertson), Kyle Sangster (Stephanie Groh), Mark (Meli), Jennifer, and Sara Kaufman (Jesse Bridge), Rebecca (Scott Reesor), Caroline (J.P. Hervieux), Ben and Amanda Kaufman (Chris Lavelle), Brenda, Bonifacio and Samuel Hernandez, Rae and Grace Kaufman. She was "Grandma Ruth" to great-grandchildren Charlie Sangster, Dawson Sangster, Zoe and Maren Bridge, Tennessee Kaufman, Levi and Maya Kaufman, Rowan, Gavin, Alden and Braxton Lavelle, and Jaciel Hernandez. Friends and extended family will miss Ruth, including brother-in-law Rev. Doug (Jean) and sister-in-law Wendy Kaufman. Ruth’s son R. Mark, brother-in-law Richard Kaufman, brother John Robertson (Frances), and sisters Agnes Spencer (Harry), Ina Chalk (Bill) and Beth Hyslop (Bill) predeceased her.
Ruth was a proud democratic socialist active in the CCF and the NDP, locally and provincially. She was a lifelong volunteer who contributed her “time, talents and treasures” to many organizations including: Amnesty International, Harcourt United Church and UCW, Waterloo Presbytery, Raging Grannies, the Guelph Community Health Centre and a credit union for teachers that she and Gord ran from their basement. Ruth maintained friendships for decades with Norma Stubbs, Mary Wray, Dorothy Fleming and members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church’s (Galt) young people’s group, always referring to them as “the young people”. Ruth and Gord generously opened their doors at both home and cottage – Kaufman’s Family Circle on Georgian Bay, whether it was to host family and friends, or offer a cold drink to a stranger hiking the Bruce Trail. Ruth loved to travel – cruises became her favourite – never passing up an opportunity to take a spin on the dance floor with her beloved Gord, and taking in a sunset with a glass of dry white wine with ice cubes.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 11:00 am at Harcourt United Church, 87 Dean Ave., Guelph. For anyone that wishes to watch remotely can do so via YouTube using this link. Reception to follow after the service.
Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL (519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com).
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to a cause or charity of your choice.
A tree will be planted in memory of Ruth Kaufman in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.