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Mrs. Ruth Sturdy

Born Ruth Hirsch on January 26, 1915 in Germany, passed away peacefully May 20, 2008 at Central Middlesex Hospital, London, England. Ruth was a strong-willed and independent lady long before it was fashionable, and despite personal tragedies and hardships

she never bore grudges and was a good friend to all. Ruth loved good company, fine food, travel, games and small dogs, and was devoted to her grandchildren, relishing their every accomplishment. Resistance movements in Germany and Holland helped Ruth escape the Nazi persecution that took the lives of her beloved parents and brother at Bergen-Belsen, and she survived the London Blitz and heartily

contributed to the war effort. After the war she was briefly married to Oxford graduate and WW2 RAF veteran

Geoffrey Henstone-Sturdy, and gave birth to their only child, Sylvia Valerie. The post-war rationing years were hard for all, but Ruth worked hard and saved the down payment for her home, while raising her daughter on her own. Ruth and Sylvia moved into their home in Brent borough in the early 1950s, and then Ruth landed a job at Harrods department store in Knightsbridge. Ruth was fiercely proud of her English citizenship and working class roots and faithfully voted for the Labour Party (until the Iraq War, when she switched her allegiance to the Liberal-Democrats and MP Sarah Tether), yet she was very fond of the British royal family and was always delighted to serve "The Royals" when they shopped at Harrods. Ruth retired 28 years ago and continued to live on her own and manage her own affairs until the final week when cancer hospitalized her and took

her from us. Ruth will be missed by her daughter Sylvia (Kurt Langmann), her grandchildren Dr. Caillin (Deanna Compton), Natalie (Darin Towers), Liona (Mike Connolly) and Claralana (Brendan Dawes), and her great-granddaughter Emma. A private memorial service will be held in Canada. Ruth's family suggests that instead of flowers, a donation be made to a hospital or health charity of your choice.



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