February 6, 1943 – December 22, 2024

It is with deep sadness that the family announces her passing after a brief illness.

Left with love in their hearts are her spouse, Bev Stacey and her family, brother David (Jackie), sister-in-law Devorah, her nieces and nephews and their families.

Ruth was born and raised in Winnipeg. She attended a number of public schools in Winnipeg’s North End, completing her high school in 1959. She then took two years of arts at United College and entered the Manitoba Law School as one of only six women, receiving her LLB from the University of Manitoba.

She was called to the Bar of Manitoba in 1968. She practiced in the area of labour law until 1970, when she was appointed a prosecutor by the Province of Manitoba. In that role, she appeared in all levels of court within Manitoba and before the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1976, she was appointed Chair of the Manitoba Labour Board. In 1977, she returned to private practice, largely chairing private labour arbitration tribunals. In 1980, she was appointed a judge of the County Court of Winnipeg and in 1984, a judge of the general division of the Court of Queen’s Bench. During her years as a trial judge, she presided over a number of high-profile, lengthy, complex criminal trials. She retired from the Court of Queen’s Bench in 2002. Ruth was the first woman to chair the Manitoba Labour Board and the first woman appointed by the Federal Government to the bench in Manitoba.

While on the bench, Ruth was a sessional lecturer in criminal law at the U of M Law School, and was involved in developing and delivering continuing legal education programs to lawyers and judges. She was a valued mentor to many younger colleagues. For the National Judicial Institute and the Canadian Judicial Council, she presented courses for judges across Canada on the Charter, criminal evidence and practice, and jury trials. On her retirement, she was appointed to the position of Arbitrator under the Northern Flood Agreement. Also, by agreement of the parties, as a pilot project, she was involved in resolving numerous Manitoba Residential Schools claims out-of-court.

In 2000, Ruth was presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the Manitoba Bar Association acknowledging her service to the legal profession and the community at large. In 2002, she was presented with the Hero Award by the Canadian Bar Association Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference in recognition of her contribution to the cause of equality for the LGBT communities.

Ruth embraced her retirement pursuing a Masters’ degree in Art History. She and Bev travelled extensively in France, England and Italy documenting sculptures in churches concentrating on the sculptures on the Abbey Church of Sainte-Marie at Souillac for her thesis. She also researched the history and wrote a paper on the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. John in Winnipeg.

In accordance with Ruth’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no service will be held. A reception will be held in April.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate and dedicated staff at Riverview Health Centre.

Donations in Ruth’s memory can be made to charities close to her heart: the School of Contemporary Dancers, Main Street Project and Harvest Manitoba or to a charity of your choosing.