Passed away peacefully at Lee Manor Nursing Home, Owen Sound, on Thursday March 6, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Morley C. Kaufman. Loving mother of Karen (Brian) Marcell of Desboro, Kimberly (Kent) Harbinson of Kilsyth, and Peter (Kate) Kaufman of Balmy Beach. Cherished grandmother of Greg Harbinson, Amy Harbinson and Briten Marcell. Great-grandmother of Clinton and Lilian Beckett. Ruth will be dearly missed by her sister-in-law Lois (Grant) McRae, brother-in-law Basil Wark, and sisters-in-law, Emily McLean, Laura Schultz and Mabel (Tom) Ruff. She is predeceased by her brothers, Roy, Grant, and Allan McRae, sister Jean Wark and sisters-in-law Hazel (Roy), Hazel (Allan), brothers-in-law Ross McLean and John Schultz. Predeceased by her parents John (Jack) and Isabelle McRae (nee Ziegler).

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Ruth was born at the Bell farm in Elderslie Township, then, as a young child, moved to the McRae home farm on Bruce County 40 west of Dobbinton. She was the second youngest child in the Jack and Isabelle household and was keen to start school. Her three older siblings shared their readers and when she started school, she had memorized the first reader: ‘I am John. I go to school. I am Mary. I go to school too. I am Peter. I do not go to school’. Chesley District High School was a great place to continue Ruth’s education and meet new friends, play sports and attend dances. As education was very important to the McRae family, Ruth opted out of nursing and pursued a career in teaching by attending Teacher’s College in
Stratford. She loved public speaking, reading, and sports and her time at S.S. #9 in the 1940s and 1950s. She taught at the S. S. #5, Desboro Public School in the 1960s. Ruth and Morley were married July 15, 1961. They moved into their “Kaufman home farm” where Karen lives today. 

Within a span of 3 and one half years they welcomed three children: Karen, Kim and Peter. This was a very busy household with lots of love and laughter as friends and family visited often. She was always happy to have them stay and share a meal with the family. In 1967 Ruth was pleased to take up residence at Sullivan Central School as one-room schools closed and were moved into central schools. Teaching all the Grades, she finished teaching at Sullivan in 1981 in the primary Grades when Peter graduated Grade 8. Ruth transferred to Derby Public School, Kilsyth to teach Kindergarten and Grade 1 students. She was so dedicated to this profession and was always up to a challenge from principals and superintendents. Not that she would have instigated any reason for a visit! There are many students who remember her fondly. She retired from Derby in 1993. Her three grandchildren attended and graduated from Grade 8 at Derby Public School. This pleased her more than anything. Her grandchildren were blessed to have such a caring, loving and kind grandmother. They would attend Grandma school once a week, instead of going to their sitters where she would have prepared lessons, in math, science, reading and writing. She and Grandpa Morley would ensure to have an outside activity including a trip to the barn, making maple syrup or going to Harrison Park, the Public Library or shopping. She has instilled in them the importance of education and how important it is to always be kind and loving. Her great-grandchildren, Clinton and Lily will also remember the hugs and kisses GG would require on each visit.
Ruth’s family and friends were so blessed to have had her in their lives. She gave her whole heart to anyone who crossed her path. She was so proud of the accomplishments of her own children and marveled at how they embraced the world in work and travel. She worked hard to raise her family while working full-time and helping Morley on the farm. She taught VBS, Sunday School and was a strong member of the Retired Women’s Teachers Association. We will miss Ruth’s poems, notes, journals, messages, phone calls, visits and most of all her smile that would warm you from inside out. You are forever in our hearts, Ruth.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Garafraxa Hill Funeral Home, Chatsworth. A visitation will be held in the funeral home chapel on Monday March 10, 2025, from 6:00 - 9:00pm. The funeral service will be held Tuesday March 11, at 1:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church, Desboro. Pastor Brian Dunlop presiding. Friends are invited to a reception following the service at the Keady Community Center, beginning at 2:30pm. Spring interment, Faith Lutheran Church Cemetery, Desboro. If desired, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Faith Lutheran Church, would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com