Ruth Datema

Margaret “Ruth”, the eldest of eight children born to Frank and Effie (Gibson) Torrie.  Ruth grew up on the family farm North East of Saltcoats and attended Grahame and Saltcoats schools.  In 1959 she graduated from nursing school in Regina.

Ruth was very shy as a child, as the family grew she became reliant on younger sister Joyce to be the brave leader in all social activities.  The two of them remained BFF’s through out their lives.  She became an avid reader in her early years and would often have to get her nose pulled out of a book to join in the family shenanigans.  Reading became a life long passion, Harlequin Romances accompanied her everywhere she went and there was always daily and local papers to read.  At age 13 she started playing the piano; another passion that carried her throughout her life.

August 8, 1960 Ruth married Jock Datema.  They first rented a place above the Saltcoats café, then purchased the old Bradshaw house for $700.00 – moved it to town and settled in to raise their four children.  Later in her final years, as long as she was physically able to, mom would daily manoeuvre her and “Peggy” up and down the stairs to take a stroll around her property.

Ruth’s world revolved around three things.  Family, Music and Nursing.  All intertwined on a daily basis.

Ruth began her working career at Saltcoats Hospital.  Upon its closure she was employed at the Yorkton Union Hospital – Maternity Ward.  They were a special bunch at both places and she was blessed to work with some of the most beautiful, talented folks in the business.  The doctors, nurses, and support staff bonded together not only as co-workers, but as friends.  With a little bit of humor they all supported each other through the ups and downs in life.  How many babies mom helped deliver is unknown, she could always remember what bed someone had been in, but needed a few clues to remember the name.

There was always music! She played the piano daily, often as stress relief or to simply be louder than her bickering children.  She played at church, weddings, funerals, in a couple local bands and around the community at various events.  Ruth was a willing volunteer whenever asked. Road trips, trips to deliver meals to the field, trips to Yorkton anywhere she traveled in the car one of Dave’s mixed cassette would be playing.  If you have never listened to Nana Moskouri or Heinje have you really lived?  She endured her families various music genre’s – everything from Dad’s Wilf Carter to Kevin’s Metallica, only complaining if it got to loud.  Can’t forget to mention the 33 Stompin “Tom Connors albums she won as a door prize at his concert.  There were many trips to concerts, Craven and Dauphin Countryfest.  Often sitting from the first note of the day until the last note was played in the evening.  In later years she was serenaded daily by Greg on his guitar.  She was a proud grandma when one of the grandkids would plunk out a tune on the piano or learn to play an instrument.  She loved having Laura or one of her nieces pop by and play a few tunes on the bag pipes.  Linda is so thankful for the old Scottish songs she was taught over the years… the songs Ruth’s dad sang.

At the core of life was family, it did not matter what one’s placement was on the family tree.  Family was Family.  She was the family historian until Nancy took over.  She travelled mainly with family – notably the group of 14 family members that “pineappled” their way around England and Scotland.  She was a loyal supporter and fan of events that not only her children were involved in but also her nieces and nephews.  The words “love you” were rarely spoken, terms of endearment sounded more like mom, ma, g’ma, gia, Ruthie Babes, the General, sista, auntie and old grandma.  Mom did not judge or complain, she had a unique sense of humor and the house was full of cheek, and sarcasm.  Nothing got thrown away – how many different types of tape can you put on a wooden spoon and still call it a wooden spoon.  A person could be persnickety or snarky and things weren’t nice or pretty but bee-u-tiful.  She cared for her family members sometimes to the peril of her own health, but you just did what needed to be done – no matter the task. She was the root of our family, never aspired to move anywhere or live in a fancy house.. she was a good mom.

Mom would agree with a quote from the Saltcoats History Book written by her dad, “If I had the chance to live my life again, there’s no place in the wide world I’d rather be than “in my home” (on a farm) right here in this community”.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband Jock; parents Frank and Effie Torrie; sister Joyce Inglis; in laws John and Mary (Stuart) Datema, Agatha (Rempel) Datema; brothers and sisters in law Bruce Inglis, Deryl Jarvis, Jim Datema, Shirley Torrie, Ruth and Walter Neuman, Andy Nagy and Kenny Westman.

She leaves to honor and cherish her memory daughter Linda – Laura & Duncan, Nicholas, Hugh, Ruthie; Son Greg and Dana – Tessa & Mitch; Son Dave – Sarah & Kyle, Nixon, Weston, Kori, Caedan & Talon, Mitchell & Rhiann; Son Kevin & Jill - Mathew & Taylor; Her siblings Don (Joan) Torrie, Jean (Elmer) Leahy, Stewart (Heather) Torrie, Ken (Pearl) Torrie, Helen Jarvis, Doreen (Brent) Bradford; in laws Patsy Nagy, Margerite (Alex) Novak, Judy (Bob) Westman; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

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