Ruby Grace Rennie

Please click HERE to watch the livestream of Ruby's Memorial Service.

Ruby Grace Rennie (Cole), 95 years of age, passed away peacefully at the Royal University Hospital on February 26, 2026. Ruby’s story began in the north; a place she loved all her life. She was born in Flin Flon, Manitoba, to Edwin, the mine’s chief cook, and Kathleen Cole (Chester), a cook’s helper. The family moved throughout the north, including time at the Island Falls dam site and various lumber camps. Ruby was blessed with a younger sister, June, and the two were inseparable.

In the 1930s, the family moved to start a farm in the bushland around Veillardville (Hudson Bay). Ed and Kathleen continued to supplement the farm income by cooking for winter lumber camps in the area. By chance or design, Ed allowed Ruby and June to join the camp for Christmas and uncharacteristically invited a few men staying over the holidays to Christmas dinner. It was there that Ruby met Mac. They married on November 4, 1949, and moved to the Willow Glen District, where they began farming Quarter #13, then moved to the Minken farm in 1960. Together, they raised four children, Lorne, Coleen, Joyce, and Jill, and farmed until retiring to Kelvington in 1998. Ruby and Mac enjoyed fishing and road trips near and far with their good friends and neighbors.

Ruby was known for her welcoming nature, a coffee pot that was always on and baking never far from reach. She had an incredible work ethic and was a wonderful cook who could make a meal out of almost nothing. Ruby could do about every type of handiwork and, if she didn’t know how, she would figure it out. She was an avid artist and gardener who loved her flowers.

Ruby loved all creatures, tame or wild, and especially her horses. She grieved deeply when an animal was hurt and did everything she could to nurse it back to health, even if it meant many sleepless hours. Most of all, she loved her family and cherished every opportunity to bring them together; to play pranks on the grandchildren and to listen to and tell stories.

Ruby often described herself as shy and awkward, but anyone who knew her would never have guessed it. She could solve a puzzle, make almost

anything, talk to a stranger and quickly find a common bond. She was an inspiration. They just don’t make them like that anymore.

She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her son, Lorne (Dianne), and their children Rachel (Geo), Faith (Matt) and son Dylan, Wyatt (Alexis), Makaela, and Gavin, and Karline; and her daughters: Coleen (Trevor), and son Hugh (Andrea) and their family Braeden, and Sydney; Joyce (Keith), and their children Tracy (Justin) and their family Mason (Brooke), Mackenzie (Hudson), and Nolan, Rennae (Derek) and their family Corwin (Joely), Brooklyn (Tyson), and Curtis (Amber) and their family Janaya, Brodyn, and Kyler; and Jill (Terry), and their children Haley (Hans), Jacey (Darren) and daughters Charlotte and Ruby, and Calli. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Edith Heslop; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Mac (John); her parents, Ed and Kathleen; her parents-in-law, George and Sophia Rennie; her sister, June Gillies; her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Elsie and Earl Leitch, Jessie and Joe Wickstrom, Mary and Ken Leitch, George and Ruby Rennie, Jim and Mabel Rennie, Claude Rennie, Dave (Alice) Rennie, Chuck Heslop, and Don (Fern) Rennie; her granddaughter, Chrystal Foster; son-in-law Hughey Foster; and grandson Lane Foster.

Donations in Ruby’s memory can be made to:

Kelvington Curling Club

Box 1109 | Kelvington, SK | S0A 1W0

Kelvington Bowling Alley

Box 415 | Kelvington, SK | S0A 1W0

Rose Valley Manor

Box 490 | Rose Valley, SK | S0E 1M0