Obituary - Ruth McLennan
Ruth Isabel McLennan
December 4, 1932, ~ February 25, 2026
Sadly, we said goodbye to Ruth for now on Wednesday February 25, 2026, at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital with family by her side.
Loving wife to John, Mother to John (Nora) and Mark (Gaye), Grammy to Lucas (Amanda) and Zachary (Jaz), Great Grammy to Rhett and Henry.
She also leaves her sister Elinore (Russ) and brother Graham (Helen deceased) as well as many nieces and nephews.
With roots going back to the 1800’s on both her mother, Ellen MacKay and father, Orrie Avery. Ruth developed a fascination for both family and local history. This led to her researching and writing several books and to her volunteering at the Dorset Heritage Museum.
Ruth also had a deep appreciation and knowledge of nature. She belonged to the Forestry Club in high school and through them, she obtained 3000 pine seedlings which with the help of friends she planted two sites on Avery property.
Ruth attended public school in Dorset and Paint Lake and went to Huntsville High School. She then went to North Bay teachers’ college with the aim of filling her lifelong dream of teaching. Children in North York and Dorset benefited from her enthusiastic approach to education.
After caring for her Aunt Kate, Uncle Len and Mother as well as teaching she returned as Principal of the Dorset School.
She then had time to pursue her artistic nature: painting watercolors of many historic homes in the area and wood burning paddles and memorial boxes for family and friends. She also made lamp shades and cards from her pressed flowers and did beautiful embroidery panels as she watched the Olympics. Ruth’s crafts were always done for her own pleasure and satisfaction.
So true to her generous nature, on turning 90 she gathered her art together, invited her McLennan, McKay and Avery families to choose from her many crafts something that touched them personally.
Ruth was active in the Bracebridge Fair and won in many categories.
Ruth and John hosted many get togethers at the former Paint Lake Campsite which they started. These included over 50 years of Avery picnics, MacKay pancake breakfasts and friends for two church groups in Bracebridge.
She was active in the Knox United Church in Dorset over the years. She was in the choir, C.G.I.T Young Peoples and taught Sunday School.
In 1954 she was a delegate to the Young Peoples National Council in Winnipeg. On her return she was asked by Toronto Conference to organize the Young Peoples Presbytery for Muskoka. This was very successful bringing together youth from Parry Sound, Gravenhurst, Severn Bridge and Dorset. Life long friends were made at the many events and camps.
After moving to Bracebridge she attended Knox Presbyterian Church where she felt warmly welcomed and quickly became an intrinsic part of the congregation.
A Celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements entrusted to Cottage Country Cremation Inc. 55 Ann Street Bracebridge ON.
Ruth, by friends and family, you will be greatly missed.
Service Details
When
Saturday, May 9th, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Location
Knox Presbyterian Church
Address
315 Muskoka Rd N
GRAVENHURST, ON P1P 1G4
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When
Saturday, May 9th, 2026 2:00pm
Location
Knox Presbyterian Church
Address
315 Muskoka Road North
GRAVENHURST, ON P1P 1G4
