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Ruth Marie Foote

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Ruth Marie Foote

November 3, 1923 - April 24, 2021

Ruth Foote of Cobourg passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 24th at Northumberland Hills Hospital where she had been admitted for congestive heart failure. She was 97.
Ruth was born on November 3, 1923 into a close-knit and loving Italian American family in Kearny, New Jersey. Her parents Pasquale "Patsy" Formisano and Viola (Rodgers) Formisano raised nine children. Ruth was the third eldest. After high school Ruth attended New York University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree. She worked for a short time as a dietician at a Boston Hospital before finding her true calling as a Home Economics teacher at a high school in her home state of New Jersey. Ruth was a skilled seamstress and passed on those skills to many young women under her tutelage.
Ruth met the love of her life - Jack Foote - at the 4th of July fireworks in 1950. They were married April 29, 1951 and had 64 wonderful years together. They truly adored each other.
Jack's work took them to New York, Caracas Venezuela (where Ruth enjoyed a short yet fulfilling modeling career) and Puerto Rico before settling in Canada where they soon became Canadian Citizens. After some years in Toronto and Markham, the family built a home and hobby farm in the beautiful rolling hills of Northumberland County near Campbellcroft where Jack and Ruth lived until 2012 when they moved to Cobourg.
Ruth was a unique and remarkable woman. A wonderful homemaker, gifted cook, and baker (her desserts were legendary) she could also drive a tractor, help build a fence and muck out a horse stall with the best of them! She had a positive attitude towards life which helped her age gracefully. She was not a complainer - even when macular degeneration robbed her of much of her vision in later years. Ruth enjoyed listening to audio books and music by Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. She was an avid walker on the streets of Cobourg and around the indoor track at the Community Center. A favorite activity in the summer was sitting by the harbor watching the boats come and go.
Ruth was a loving and generous lady and a genuine friend to many. She prioritized family above all and was a beloved mom and grandma (nana) always supportive of her children and grandchildren. We were all so fortunate to have this time with her. She will be deeply missed.
Ruth is survived by her daughters Leslie Foote, Tiffany Saunders, and Renee Foote; grandchildren Jesse Pollock-Foote, Arielle and Autumn Saunders, Andrew, and Adrian Reszczynski; son-in-law Neville Saunders; special family members Carole Lacquerre and Sade Dadd. In addition, Ruth is survived by her siblings Edie Mastro, Joe (Joan) Formisano and Connie Durbas as well as cousin-in-law Joan Lader and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Millie, Tina, Patricia, Alec, and Beatrice; son-in-law Stan Pollock and her dear, sweet husband Jack.
A private family gathering to celebrate Ruth's life will be held in the future. Memorials in Ruth's name can be made to the Cobourg Public Library (ear-marked for audio books) and Community Care Northumberland.

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE / DONATIONS

Catherine Wooldridge - May 30, 2021

I met Ruth through my mother Kay, who loved to go for walks with Ruth to the Eco Garden where they would set the world to rights through their chats! Ruth always spoke so fondly of her family, and loved to recount her memories of her youth in NYC, meeting Jack, and the adventures they had together with the girls. Her wisdom and kindness were such gifts, and I always came away from our visits feeling elevated and honoured that she shared them with me. Ruth’s big bright smile lit up the room! I will miss her so much, but her smile and kindness are etched onto my heart. Sending my deepest condolences to Ruth’s family. May she Rest In Peace.

Russ Wooldridge - May 15, 2021

Always smiling.

Russ Wooldridge - May 15, 2021 DONATION

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Cobourg Public Library (Audio Books)

Gay & Arvid Mortensen - May 12, 2021 DONATION

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Cobourg Public Library (Audio Books)

Susan Sinnott - May 9, 2021

Ruth was quite a lady! I am lucky to have known both Ruth and Jack as friends and neighbours. You mentioned her baking - who can forget the Boxing Day get togethers with all the goodies! Your obituary is so well written with love.

Estee Lauder - US Payroll Department - May 4, 2021 DONATION

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Cobourg Public Library (Audio Books)

Wendy Ortiz - May 4, 2021 DONATION

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Cobourg Public Library (Audio Books)

Laverne Saunders - May 4, 2021

I was introduced to Ruth/Nana by her son-in-law -Neville who is my brother on one of my visits to Canada from the Caribbean. What a gracious and elegant woman she was. I enjoyed her delectable cuisines and especially the time when she prepared some fresh water trouts! She was such a gracious soul! May she rest peacefully with her loving spouse Jack.

John Nagy - May 4, 2021 DONATION

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Cobourg Public Library (Audio Books)

Melissa Stephenson - May 3, 2021

I am so saddened to read of Mrs. Foote's passing. Such a beautiful lady. I enjoyed spending tine getting to know Ruth,Jack, their children and grand children during family celebrations. My condolences to the Foote's

Jayne, Alan & Raymond Martina - May 3, 2021

Tiffany, Neville, Arielle, Autumn and extended family. We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Mother. She was a beautiful Lady and I am sure she is very happy being reunited with your Dad. May they rest in peace. Our sincere condolences to you all.

Lori Andrus - May 3, 2021

So sorry to read of the passing of your mom and such a heartwarming tribute for a life well lived.. I knew your parents from watsons pharmacy in port Hope where they were customers for many years..I always looked forward to wonderful chats with them both when they would come to the pharmacy...I also sat on the parent council at the high school back in the day with your dad...Such a lovely couple...My thoughts are with you at this sad and difficult time...Lori Andrus

Fran Marsh - May 2, 2021

Ruth and I became friends through the Cobourg Library volunteer program. What an interesting lady. She had such wonderful stories to tell. I shall miss my visits to deliver talking books or to go for walks through downtown Cobourg or around the track at the CCC. She loved and was so proud of all her family. My sincere condolences to everyone.

Edith Mastro - May 1, 2021

Leslie, Tiffany, Renee, I’ll miss the Saturday phone calls I had with your mother. She will now rest in peace with Jack by her side.

Dawn Busato - May 1, 2021

Tiffany and Family, my sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. It sounds like she was a unique and wonderful woman. I wish I'd had the opportunity to get to know her. I think we would have been friends. Take care, be safe. Dawn

Mary Talbot - April 30, 2021 DONATION

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Community Care Northumberland

Stephen Della Casa - April 30, 2021

I am so very sorry to hear of Ruth's passing. I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth for the first time in the 1980's and my life has been all the better for it. A beach-loving beauty to the end, I will miss her kindness, her love for her family, and her beautiful smile that would light up a room. May she have comforting peace and be eternally reunited with Jack. God bless you Ruth.

Betsey Stanley - April 30, 2021 DONATION

A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:

Community Care Northumberland

Betsey Stanley - April 30, 2021

So sorry to learn of Ruth's passing. She & Jack became friends over the couple of years I drove Jack when I was a Community Care driver. I was always invited in for soup & conversation if I was early picking up Jack - I made sure I was early, more often than not! Ruth was such a welcoming, kind & positive person. When Jack passed away I lost a friend, story teller & optimistic man who called me his "New York City Taxi Driver". I looked forward to seeing Ruth & him every week. They spoke of you often & I felt as though I knew you also. You'll have wonderful memories of your Mum & Jack.

Rhonda Cunningham - April 29, 2021

I was so saddened to read about your mom’s passing. I came to know both of your parents through their generosity to Northumberland Hills Hospital. I visited your dad frequently when he was having his dialysis treatments, and while you’ve never met me, I heard quite a bit about each of you. I always smiled when I saw your mom with her walker out and about getting in her steps! She was lovely! Thinking of you all at this difficult time.

Sarah (Tuer) Cowin - April 28, 2021

I am So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing! Leslie, Tiffany and Renee... I have such Fond memories of the wonderful times I spent with your family! Sleep overs and midnight rides... pancake breakfasts! Will never forget! Sending love. Memories can never be taken from us! Comforting!