Obituary of Ruby Van Wart
Ruby Jean Van Wart (Ferrie), born in Saint John, NB June 21st, 1929, died February 14th, 2025 at Rocmaura Nursing Home at 95 years old. She died peacefully, with her children at her side, on Valentine's Day.
Ruby was predeceased by her parents: Thomas, and Bertha Ferrie; her sisters: Muriel, Hazel, Marjorie, Eva, Mabel, Edith, and Annie; and her only brother, Robert "Bobby". She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survived by her three children: sons, Robert Phillip (Nancy) of Halifax, NS, and Royden Thomas of Saint John, NB; daughter, Carol Anne Eliott (Kevin) of Saint John, NB; grandchildren: Mark, Scott, Jake, Anders, and Harry; several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Ruby was known and admired for her resilience and determination. As a single mom during the 1950's, against all odds she made a comfortable home in a flat at 50 Portland Street for her and, at that time, her only child Bobby. She did housework for some of the richest folks on Mount Pleasant Avenue. Earning $1.50 a day, she cleaned toilets, made beds, did dishes and left homes spic and span. During the coldest, stormiest days of winter when cars and buses were taken off the road, she would winter-up and walk from Portland Street, across Main Street, up the stretch of Rockland Road and earn her $1.50 for the day.
She was able to make any day at the beach or a trip downtown an adventure. Every Friday, she would take Bobby to the United Stores in downtown Saint John for their weekly 99 cent chocolate sundaes. On a rare occasion when Ruby was, as she would say, "Flushed with a little extra money", she would spring for House of Hay (Kentucky Fried Chicken), and bottles of Pepsi. On weekends, she would rouse Bobby out of a warm bed at 2 or 3 in the morning and standing shivering in the cool night air, she would point to the sky and say "Look Bobby. Look at all those stars. That means a sunny day tomorrow so we can go to the beach. Now go back to bed and get a good sleep so we can get to the beach early."
Ruby showed us how to make a beach fire and how to find the flattest and best rocks to cook on. We would pick pennywinkles at Bayshore, boil them in their own water and using her bobby pins we would have them for lunch. She always had a package of wieners from O'Keefe's on Main Street and we would fry them on the same rock. She had the most wonderful laugh, as the grease dripped down our chins and our hands enjoying the most succulent wieners ever cooked.
Times were difficult for a single woman trying to raise a child on her own during the late fifties. There were no organizations or support systems for her, but every Christmas during those years she made sure there was a fully decorated Christmas tree and presents to unwrap. She was a protective mom, and on the occasion when a big burly 6ft man grabbed Bobby by the arm, she confronted him and said, "You'll never touch my boy again, do you hear?" One sentence was all it took. At that moment, Ruby stood feet taller than him and he apologized.
Ruby developed a friendship with a gentleman who owned an upholstery repair shop at the foot of Main Street in Saint John. Wilfred MacKenzie became her close companion during those years and became a father image for Bobby. They would spend nights at Wilfred's house with his two daughters, Carol and Heather, who became like family. His house was across the street from the Lord Beaverbrook Rink. Everyone used to head up to the second floor and watch the wrestling matches because the top part of the rink's windows were not covered with drapery. Those were good years, until Wilfred MacKenzie passed away. Not long after she met Roy Van Wart (Sr.), and married.
It has often been said that Ruby could have done so much more had she been born in a different time. Life's challenges of being poor, raising a child on her own in the early years, and the unfortunate influences of others led to some difficult years; as she battled alcohol. Today, Ruby's legacy is a great one. She won her battles, stood tall, embraced what she had, and approached life with an unwavering love for all.
Born mere months before the stock market crash in 1929, that instigated the " Great Depression", our mother has seen, and experienced alot of amazing things that we can never truly appreciate. We can read about them, but never witness, and "feel" first hand, as she did. You could say, mom witnessed all of the great things, all the turning points of the 20th century.
She has witnessed sixteen different American presidents take the Oath of Office, and fourteen Canadian Prime Ministers do the same. She saw, as a child, the building of the Hoover dam in newspaper print, and listened to the progress on an old radio. She saw the Hindenburg airship in 1937 fly over Saint John, on it's way to Lakehurst, New Jersey, to rendezvous with certain disaster.
At twelve years old in 1942, her mother succumbed to cervical cancer. Mom went to work in a WW2 factory here in the city to fabricate clothing for European war-bound soldiers.
Stood frozen, with dread as the Kennedy assassination unfolded before the world. Watched mankind on the moon, take it one step at a time. Stood guard at the TV as a look-out of sorts, while President Nixon broke into the Watergate Hotel. She always said she liked the curtains in the lobby of that place.
Thirty-seven years ago she moved into Charlton Place in the city's "Old North End." She thrived here. It was her grounding point, and her castle. She easily made friends, played piano for her neighbors, and helped anyone in need. It was at Charlton Place that she reconnected with an old friend, Grace Golding. The pair of them were inseparable. One was not without the other. Her beloved Fairview Plaza or the "Plaza" as it was known, was her usual getaway. Woolworth's lunch counter, Dominion store, and later Dollarama. All her great places.
Mom was a very private person by nature; she listened, she analysed, she was a thinker, and very level headed under fire. She could be ferocious and not without words to any injustice that spilled into her life.
It was here at Charlton Place that she told her incredible lifetime stories. We all loved them. We listened to her stories, and wanted more. She didn't disappoint. She kept telling them. We just couldn't get enough.
Living to a very senior age has very lonely consequences. We all felt her pain, as her friends passed on, her siblings, our aunts, and our uncle. We watched her, with every passing of a dear loved one, somewhat like a tree; growing new branches, redirecting her roots- searching for water, searching for life. And, eventually flourishing new blossoms. She hid her sorrow, and gnawing pain from her kids, so as not to burden us, not to impose on us. Very courageous, selfless, and dignified woman.
With this, she is styled: " Virtus et Honos in Aeternum" (Strength and Honor Forever.)
For just over 20 years , within the confines of Taylor's Island on the Western approaches to the city, is a perpetual memorial dedicated to the perseverance, and
"Strength of Character" of Ruby Van Wart. Over the years the emblazoned park bench which bears her name, has been a symbol, and practical way to honor her, andher triumphs. Her last years were spent enjoying the company of all of her children. Each of them today are successful, and each has much to thank Ruby for in their own way.
Rocmaura Nursing Home have done fantastic through all of this, and are dedicated to ensure the best possible life for all their residents.
Ruby's children would like to acknowledge Carol Cosman and Danny Lavigne of Hampton, NB. Carol and Danny provided so much comfort and companionship for Ruby during her final years when her children could not be near. Carol Cosman became Ruby's closest companion, and Ruby's children are all deeply grateful for the support and happiness Carol and Danny brought to Ruby all those years.
Arrangements with Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424). In keeping with Ruby's wishes there will be no public service. A private ceremony will be held at a future date.
