In thanksgiving for a beautiful life and, yet, with profound sadness, we say goodbye to Ruby Dolores Stanek Arsenault who slipped away quietly, surrounded by her family, on August 25, 2013 in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Left to treasure the richness of her life and to cherish her memory are: her two sisters, Florence (Walter) Hayes and Adeline (Jerry) Smith–semicolon– her two brothers, Norman (Mildred) Stanek and Ron (Donna) Stanek–semicolon– her ten children, Dale (Earla) Arsenault, Laurette (Bill) Mitchell, Linda Arsenault, Ron (Bev) Arsenault, Mary Beth (Ken) Polanski, Robert Arsenault, Richard (Evelyn) Arsenault, Michael (Patricia) Arsenault, Kenneth (Corinne) Arsenault and Edward (Cheryl) Arsenault–semicolon– as well as her 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, Pete, in 1995, and by her eldest sister, Gladys (Malcolm) Kemp in 2011.
The third child and the third daughter of Frank and Annie Stanek, Ruby was born on September 21, 1921 on the farm near Rosetown, Saskatchewan, where her grandparents had homesteaded. She received her high school education at St. Joseph’s School in Rosetown and then went on to Holy Family Hospital in Prince Albert to train as a nurse, graduating as class valedictorian in 1942.
On March 3, 1943 Ruby Stanek married Pete Arsenault in Rosetown, where the couple lived until 1965, when they moved to Redwater, Alberta. Ruby was a committed Roman Catholic, with an unfailing faith in God and in Christian ethics. She was a vital member of the church, both in Rosetown and in Redwater: she was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League–semicolon– a member of the building committee for the new church in Redwater–semicolon– she was a founding member of the Family and Community Support Services in Redwater–semicolon– and, especially in her retirement, she took on many volunteer social tasks.
Ruby was a natural leader and an intelligent, dynamic, caring individual, whose optimism, sense of fun and winning personality endeared her to family and friends alike: she was a model to some and an inspiration to many others. She will long be remembered for her unstinting kindness, her generosity, her wisdom and her practical, helpful concern by the countless number of people she touched. Above all, she was a dedicated family woman, devoted to her husband and children. In 1990 she published her book on the history of her family, which spans 7 generations and represents her generous, loving and lasting legacy.
Prayers will be held at 7:30 pm on August 30 at Our Lady of the Angels church in Fort Saskatchewan and a Roman Cathlolic funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Angels church in Fort Saskatchewan at 10:00 am on August 31.
Mary Ellen Davidson says
Dear Linda – my sincere condolences for your loss. When I remember Ruby I can see her smile. She was truly a warm and wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sadness. I hope you will find comfort in the many happy memories you must have, and will always remember Ruby as one of our special LAMBS. Please know my heart goes out to you and your family at this time.
Shirley & Eric Koprek says
Dear Ron, Bev, Adam & Kelly:
We would like to express heartfelt sympathy to all of you and all of your family Ron. The few times we had the pleasure of meeting your Mom were fun times. She was a very strong woman and passed this on to her children. You can take comfort in the fact that you were caring and loving children. Now you have many fond memories to recall. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Shirley & Eric
Greg and Terry Tellier says
Dear Ron, Bev, Adam and Kelly;
Greg and I send our sincere and deepest sympathy in the loss of Ruby. She was such a dynamic person and leaves behind the legacy of such a strong family. She now rests in peace and memories of her will forever be in your thoughts and hearts.
In Sympathy,
Greg and Terry Tellier
Mary Genereux says
Dearest Arsenault Family,
Our hearts and souls are with you in this time with the loss of your dear mother, grandmother great grandmother. Aunt Ruby was a rock for us all. She was a fountain of youth and wisdom, marveling in all aspects of every life around her. Aunt Ruby brought warmth, direction, a wonderful sense of the world being our canvas. and more to those around the family.
I pray with you all, and for you all at this time when Ruby has moved on to be fully with Our Lord. It is at this time and beyond that Aunt Ruby will now be with us as a guide, a rock and support, from where ever we are in the world,on the mountain side. We will feel Our Dear Ruby guiding us along.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Mary Lisa Genereux and family
Brad Smith says
God bless Aunt Ruby. Though I had not seen her in AGES (!) I remember her as a very strong person, a very giving person, a very caring person. I remember her telling of how she and Uncle Pete had a close brush with a large boulder somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, I think, that nearly killed them (or at least shook them up!). I loved playing cards, too, with the gang when we got together when I was younger in another half life. Bless you all as you move on… Fondly, Brother Brad
Marlis Gunderson says
My dearest Lambs, Linda and Ann.I send you hugs and warm thoughts. Ruby was a real \” gem\”, with a smile that touched everyone. Her quick wit and great sense of humor was a pleasure to be around. She will be with you in spirit, even though her physical self is not. So many wonderful, cherished memories will see you through this sad time. Friend of Linda
Danielle (Hayes) Korol says
My most heartfelt condolences go out to you at this time. Aunt Ruby was a wonderful lady, and will be greatly missed. I always enjoyed spending time with her when she would come out to visit my Grandma & Dave.
Pauline & Dennis Roth says
Our condolences to you Ron, Bev, Adam and Kelley. Your mom was the heart of the home and I loved hearing the stories you\’d tell us of her. May these memories live with you forever. We are thinking of you at this sad time.
Love,
Dennis and Paula
Mona Foreman says
Please accept my condolences. My prayers are with you all.
What a wonderful legacy of family and friends Auntie Ruby and left behind .
I will be thinking of you all .
Mona
Rene Bourdages says
Please accept my sincere condolences to you Ron and your family. I have very fond memories of Auntie Ruby when she was in Montreal. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
René
Glenn Syrowitz says
Robert & Mathew
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
We are never really ready to say Good-Bye.
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
(author unknown)
Enjoy all the memorable times you and your family had together with your mom and Grandmother.
With Deepest Sympathy
Glenn, Judie & family
Jennifer Fulton says
Robert my sincerest condolences go out to you, and your family. Your mother was a beautiful woman who lived life to the fullest. Her blessings were many, and in her time on earth she was a blessing to so many! Don and I commiserate with you knowing that death is not the final sleep but instead the final awakening. Our prayers and love go out to you at this time.
Jenn and Don
Myrna Gibson says
Thinking of you all at this time – our hearts are with you. Many fond memories of Auntie Ruby are smiles and laughter that light up a room. May her strength and spirit bring you peace and comfort at this time. Malcolm, Myrna & Danielle
Ron and Val Whitson says
To all the Arsenault family. Our sincere condolences on the loss of Ruby. I will always remember the day the whole Arsenault family descended upon our neighbourhood in Redwater. I don\’t think many of us had ever seen such a large family. We got to know each and every one of you and enjoyed many good times together. Still don\’t know how Pete and Ruby raised all you little Bu_ _ ers! She was truly a great lady. I\’m sure her and Pete are already planning a game of cards.
Mary Kahn says
To My Dearest Family,
Aunt Ruby was a gem…she had that amused twinkle in her eye, even in her last photos. I never will forget that, even with a house full of her own family, she welcomed us Yanks on our many summer vacations. There always was plenty of food, laughter, and love. I know there are lots of folks in heaven, welcoming Aunt Ruby with open arms and hearts. Sending you all much love.
Mary
Wayne Hall says
We extend our sincere condolences to everyone who knew and loved Ruby. She was a great lady.
Wayne, Joanne, Connor, and Evan Hall
Diane Grainger says
We were all so very sorry to hear of your loss. We enjoyed Ruby\’s bright smile when we visited with Ben\’s dad at Rivercrest. She had a special light about her and will be greatly missed.
Please accept our sympathies, and also our wishes for your peace, prayers, understanding, and cherished memories at this time.
Diane Grainger, Ben Dekker and family