Ruby De Clercq of Champion, passed away peacefully at the Vulcan Community Health Centre on October 17, 2022 at the age of 85 years.
Ruby was the only child of Mike and Anna (Fath) Beingessner, and was born November 30, 1936. She attended Alston School then St. Mary’s Girls School in Calgary, and graduated high school in Champion, AB in 1954. She attended Teachers College at University of Alberta, Calgary campus and became a teacher. In 1956, Ruby married Paul De Clercq who grew up on a farm close to Beingessner’s farm. Paul then worked with Young Exploration and Ruby traveled with the crew as most families did, in small trailers. During these years, they had 3 children and made many lifelong friends and great memories.
In 1963, they returned to Calgary where Ruby resumed teaching for the Calgary Catholic School Board. These were busy years and Ruby spent many nights driving for softball, soccer, hockey and track club. In 1968, Paul and Ruby had one more child and they stayed in Calgary until the oldest three children graduated from Grade 12.
They moved back to the farm near Champion in 1980. Ruby enjoyed being back on the farm she grew up on. She taught school for several years at the nearby Little Bow Hutterite Colony. She grew large vegetable gardens and volunteered for the St. Mary’s Altar Society and the Champion Legion. Every summer for many years, the family would go to Sugar Lake in the Monashee’s. It was a place Mom loved to go, especially once they got a cabin and she didn’t have to camp anymore!
Ruby is survived by her children Connie (Michael) Morrison, Lori Ahart, Darrell (Caroline) De Clercq and Scott (Monica) De Clercq , 10 grandchildren – Sheila, Laura, Colin (Kelsey), Genevieve (Jamie), Anna (Spencer), Claire (Eric), Sarah, Brittney (Brandon), Haley (George) and Adeline and 5 great grandchildren – Ava, Georgia, Jon, Freyja and Charlie. She was predeceased by an infant brother Clarence, her parents and her husband of 65 years Paul.
Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 1:30 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Champion, AB, with Fr. Dominic Nguyen Celebrant. Inurnment to follow at Champion Cemetery.
Tributes in Ruby’s memory can be made to the Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation, Box 28, Vulcan, AB, T0L 2B0.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mpomposhe, the hospital and Long Term Care staff for their exceptional care for Ruby.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
Sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing . My sincere condolences to Paul and the family . Ruby was such a kind hearted person . I was assistant Postmaster in Vulcan from (1980 – 82 ) and she was a pleasure to work along side with as we worked together at the post office .
So sad to hear of your mom’s passing. I am one of her lifelong friends she was a great friend always kind helpful and caring. They made sure to visit us in their new motor home and we had great visits reminiscing whenever they were here. Lots of talk and laughter. She will be dearly missed.
I’m so sorry to hear of your families loss of your amazing Mother, Grandmother , Aunt and friend to so many
I always enjoyed visits with Ruby in The grocery store, community , post
Office or wherever you met up with her. Always smiling and vibrant always ready to chat. She would catch you up on all the going ons with her family and check up on yours as well
She always left you making you feel good such a pleasure to visit with !
Sending hugs condolences and prayers
Susan , Glen Schmeelke