Ruth Caroline Vaughan

It is with profound sadness, but immense gratitude for her life, that we announce the passing of our loving mother and grandmother, Ruth Caroline Vaughan, on July 13, 2025, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.  She died on a bright and sunny Sunday morning with her children and grandchildren at her side.

Ruth was born in Yorkton on February 12, 1939, and was raised in the Stornoway district by her parents Fred and Molly (nee Ruf) Gross.  She attended elementary school in Stornoway and then spent her high school years at the Yorkton Collegiate Institute.  Upon graduating, she began her working life as a bank teller at the Bank of Montreal in Saltcoats.  But her banking days became numbered the day an attractive young farmer walked into the branch in 1958.   After a whirlwind romance, Ruth married Norval Vaughan in Stornaway on July 18, 1959. 

Ruth and Norval made their home on the Vaughan family farm in the Llewelyn district, which they took over upon the death of Norval’s father later that year.  Together, they had four children, Rick, Linda, Kenton and Craig.

Ruth was a vital and trusted member of the Llewelyn community.  She was active in the UCW, the Sunshine Club, the Community Club, and 4-H.  And in record time, she could whip up a roast beef dinner for anyone who happened to drop by the farm, even if they were only there to fix a tractor.

Ruth and Norval had a passion for travel and frequently ventured far from the family farm.  Their travels took them to far flung places like Alaska, Australia and Europe.

They also loved to dance.  Upon being asked once what she was doing when she sprained her wrist, she replied with a hint of self-satisfaction, “the jive”.

In 2002, Ruth and Norval sold the beloved family farm and retired to Yorkton, Sask.

But never one to be idle, she could regularly be found tending to her glorious petunias or manning the gift shop at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.  She remained a reliable and trusted volunteer there for almost 20 years.

Ruth and Norval continued to travel the world until Norval’s deteriorating health made that impossible.  She remained a devoted wife and caregiver to Norval until his death on April 16, 2014.

Ruth experienced many setbacks in her life, chief among them, the death of her father when she was seven years old and the death of her son, Craig, (on Mother’s Day no less) when he was nine.  Despite this, she became a model of resilience, compassion, and abiding love for her husband, her children and those around her.  She did not shrink from the difficulties of life.  She faced them head on and continued her journey all the way to the bright and sunny day on which she died so peacefully.  We will miss her wit and the hearty laugh which consumed every fiber of her body; but she will remain in our hearts forever.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Norval; her son, Craig; her parents, Fred and Molly; her brothers, Eric and Alvin, and her sister Lillian.  She leaves to cherish her memory her children Rick (Sandy), Linda (Ken), and Kenton (Sarah Jane); her grandchildren Glynnis and Sam; her sister, Miriam Burback; her sisters-in-law Mary Gross and Morfudd Scott; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and an abundance of good friends.

Ruth's funeral was held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm at her beloved Llewelyn Bethel United Church.  A lunch followed at the Bangor Hall.

Friends so wishing, may make donations in Ruth’s name to the Llewelyn Cemetery Fund. Cheques may be made out to the RM of Saltcoats, Box 150, Saltcoats, SK S0A 3R0.

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