In Memory of Ruth Audrey O’Neill

Ruth Audrey O’Neill (née Campbell) passed away peacefully at the Leacock Care Centre in Orillia, Ontario, in her 99 th year on July 30th, 2025. Ruth was born in Cobourg, Ontario in 1927. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William Arthur (Art) O’Neill, a marriage which lasted for 75 years.

Ruth leaves behind her nieces Jacqueline Lindop (Michael), Jane Laurie (Laurie), Mary Jane Tindale (Wade), Linda Davis (Ron), Carol Bent (David), Debra Ashmore, Karen Campbell Henderson, nephew Kevin Campbell, and sister-in-law Yvonne Campbell. Ruth was also predeceased by her sister Mary Moore (Harold), her brother Fred, sister-in-law Milly Laurie (Jack), Leona Pursey (Wallace) and nieces Marilyn Hutchinson (Verne) and Nancy Shortreed Laurie (Doug). She will truly be missed by her many great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Ruth was an extraordinary lady, kind and generous throughout her life. She graduated from Cobourg Collegiate and went straight to work at Kraft General Foods, where she remained for all her working life. Upon retirement she gave back to the community through her work at the Presbyterian Church and for numerous community services such as Meals on Wheels and as a volunteer driver taking people to medical appointments in Toronto, Peterborough, and Oshawa. Ruth was an Elder Emeritus at the Port Hope Presbyterian Church, received a Province of Ontario Volunteer Services award in 2001 and was named Port Hope Citizen of the Year in 2000. She travelled the world with Art and loved golf, fishing, curling and baseball. Her fondest memories were of hosting pool parties in her backyard and of fishing adventures on Lady Evelyn Lake.

A memorial service for Ruth will take place on Wednesday, August 13th, at 2pm, at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church (131 Walton St, Port Hope, ON L1A 1N4). Interment will follow at Port Hope Union Cemetery (114 Toronto Rd, Port Hope), with a reception at the church. If desired, donations in Ruth's memory may be made to either St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, or the Princess Margaret Foundation.