| Cochrane - Marjorie "Ruth" Cochrane passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, in the Coronation Continuing Care Facility, Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at the age of 89 years. Ruth was born June 5, 1918 in the Coronation Hospital, to parents Norman and Jean Cuthbertson - a little sister and lifelong friend for her big brother George. She was raised on the family farm near Brownfield where everyone worked together to raise purebred Holstein cows for the city dairies. They also made their living from selling cream, homemade cheese, milkfed pigs and grain. Ruth and her brother George attended Bonny Doone country school, usually astride their faithful pinto pony, Babe. It was while attending Bonny Doone School that the Cuthbertson children developed their intense love of baseball, which they carried with them through life. Part of this might be attributed to one of Ruth's teachers, Amy Cochrane's, vibrant enthusiasm for the sport. Ruth was a key player, often playing shortstop, for the Bonny Doone girls' team that lost the Provincial title by only two runs. It was little wonder that she acquired the nickname "Babe Ruth". Ruth's dream was always to become a teacher, but with so much work to be done on the farm, the dream did not materialize. Rather, she stayed at home and continued to be a huge help, especially to her father, whom she truly idolized. Like all young adults of that time, dances were the hub of their social activities. It was while attending a Hallowe'en dance in Coronation that she became reacquainted with a handsome gentleman named George Cochrane. He asked her for the first dance, which at the time also meant that they were to have supper together. Ruth had been introduced to George by her teacher Amy Cochrane years before at a U.F.A. conference which he and his family were attending at Gooseberry Lake. At that time he showed little interest in the teenage ballplayer. However, over 10 years later at the Hallowe'en dance George was quite taken with the girl who was busy painting her family's house and the courtship began. On July 4, 1946 George and Ruth were married and took over the Cochrane family farm south of Federal. In April of the following spring they were blessed with the arrival of a baby girl, Carolyn. Their only son, Linden followed in July of 1951 and the family was completed with the arrival of their second daughter, Beth in July 1956. Ruth's home, her husband George and her children were her whole world. Not one was more important than the other, although there always was a special place in her heart for George, the man she held such admiration for. As her children grew to adulthood and chose their lifelong partners, she welcomed her son-in-laws, Clifton and John, and her daughter-in-law, Lorraine, into her heart and treated them as if they had always been her very own. She followed the same kind acceptance that she had been shown when, upon her union to George, she immediately become one of the Cochrane "girls". Aside from her family, her home with its beautiful yard, weed-free trees and bountiful garden and fruit trees were a testimony to her tireless energy. She took great pride in her ability to make something out of nothing and make do with whatever was available. Her sewing machine has stitched around the world and back, repairing or creating garments for her family and others. She was so generous with her energy and the fruits of her labour. Little made her more content that being able to share something she had grown or made. Visitors to the farm seldom left without a bounty of the garden's harvest packed into their vehicle. Ruth was the type of person who cared more for others than herself and had only one need in life - to be needed. Once the grandchildren began to arrive, her "need to be needed" was truly fulfilled, for this Grandma's love was as wide as her prairies' skies. Each grandchild was adored for their own uniqueness. She admired them for their strengths, abundantly praised their accomplishments, tolerated their unsettled moments and minimized their imperfections. How lucky we all are to share a part of our lives with the ones we love! Ruth's selflessness extended far beyond her home, as she took on the role of 4-H leader in both Coronation and Stettler horse clubs, canvassed for cancer, the Heart and Stroke Fund and helped acquire donations for S.T.A.R.S.. For 25 years she has volunteered at the Superfluity Shop in Stettler which takes in gently used clothing and donates the profits from their sales to worthy causes. The quality of life she has enjoyed has been greatly enriched by the multitude of friends she's found along the way. Whether it was in her youth near Brownfield, on the farm near Federal or living in the town of Stettler, where George and Ruth retired to in 1976, they were blessed with wonderful, kind and abundant friendships. Amongst her possessions was a box filled with 110 cards conveying congratulations and best wishes that they had received from their friends for their 50th anniversary. Although her life was interrupted numerous times with medical challenges, her tremendous spirit and strength prevailed and she proved time and time again that Cancer really can be beaten! Amidst the hardships she has endured, the only one she was never able to conquer was the heartache of losing any of her family or friends. It was the only thing this little lady ever found that she could not do! We're certain that Ruth and George would most like to be remembered by their family and the beautiful farm they built together. Predeceased by her parents Norman and Jean; husband George; brother George and sister-in-law Helen; daughter-in-law Lorraine; Ruth’s Cochrane siblings Ethel and Vic Nelson, Amy and Pat Lowen, Arthur and Eddie Cochrane, and sisters-in-laws Laureen and Marlene Cochrane; Lorraine’s father George Wignes; Ruth is survived by her son Lin Cochrane of Didsbury (Jean Boxer) of Red Deer, and Lin’s children Nancy (Dirk) van Egmond, their children Ethan, Luke and Abby of Strathmore, Kathy (Kevin) Stolson and children Dillin, Tyler, Kasandra, and Katrina of Strathmore, Erin Cochrane (Stewart Enns) and their son Nate of Strathmore; and Ruth’s daughters Carolyn (Clifton) White of Irma and children Heather White (Claude Valois) of Lloydminster, Sask., Duane White of Irma (Deanna Empey), Melanie White (Dave Rousseau) of Calgary, Michelle (Byron) Clarke and expectant newborn in December 2007 of Denzil, Saskatchewan; and daughter Beth (John) MacGougan of Coronation, and children Candace (Ryan) Buehler and daughter Kayla of Consort, Holly MacGougan (Kyle Nahirniak) of Edmonton, and Amanda (Dallas) Hildreth of Castor. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Elda, brother-in-law John; Lorraine’s mother Phyllis Wignes; eight nieces and nephews and their families as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at Trinity United Church with the Rev. Stephen Shantz officiating. Tributes in memory of their Grandma were given by Nancy van Egmond and Heather White and the eulogy was given by Dirk van Egmond. Linda Osetsky played for the congregational hymns “In The Garden”, “Bringing In The Sheaves”, and “Amazing Grace” led in song by the Trinity United Church Choir. A special recorded selection “Bluebird On My Window Sill” was played. Honourary pallbearers were “All of Ruth’s Friends and Family”. The interment followed in the Coronation Cemetery. Following the service family and friends gathered together in the lower hall of the church with the lunch prepared and served by the Federal Friendship Club. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s memory to the Coronation Health Care Centre Foundation’s Long Term Care Recreation Program, the Coronation Cemetery or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium “Families Serving Families” Dean Ross entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please call 578-3777. Forwarding condolences may be sent to the family through our guest book at HYPERLINK "http://www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com" www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com. Card of Thanks To our friends for their many kindnesses and expressions of sympathy on the passing of our Mom, Ruth Cochrane, thank you! Mom was so grateful to be able to move "back home" and be cared for by Dr. Tolmie, with his kind, gentle and sincere manner and the loving hands of the staff at the Long Term Care. The heartfelt tributes given by her grandchildren Nancy, Dirk and Heather were a wonderful summarization of how she had touched the lives of others. And the beautiful voices of the United Church Choir, accompanied by Linda Osetsky and Reverend Shantz's prayers made our goodbye such a memorable one. Thank you to the Federal Friendship Club for the bountiful lunch. Though you are small but mighty, your thoughtfulness continues to enrich everyone you encounter. To Dean and Parkview Chapels, we truly appreciate your sensitivity and caring, yet professional manner with which you complete such a necessary, but difficult task. Thank you to everyone who loved our Mom and helped to make her life better. Carolyn and Clifton White & family Lin Cochrane & family John and Beth MacGougan & family |