Ruth Elias

Ever since I got the news about Ruth's passing, I have felt shaken. This is so very sad. It is quite remarkable that both Phil and Ruth passed at basically the same time of separate health issues. To me, this certainly speaks to their close relationship and of G-d's power. They were both so special and always seemed younger than their years. I loved them dearly and will really miss them both very much. May their memory be a blessing.

We are so sorry to hear about Ruthie this time. As we said before, there is no such thing as one without the other. Every family function, Shabbat dinner, even just passing through the neighborhood, they were always there with a smile, a hug and friendly advice when solicited. When our mother Helen Cooper passed away, they were there for us offering us kind words, sympathy and strength. We wish we could be there for all of you to give you our love, support and strength through this very difficult time, losing both of these wonderful, irreplaceable people. Please know that Ruthie and Phil were a big part of our family for most of our lives from childhood into adulthood and the memories we share of them will keep their light burning in our hearts next to our dear Mother. May they enjoy each other, dance together, laugh together but most of all, be together in peace and love forever.

Dear Cary and Family... B.D.E. Hilda and I are heartbroken again to learn of the passing of your beloved mother, Ruth, shortly after you lost your wonderful and loving dad, Phil, just a few weeks ago. May they both rest in peace. May you and your family know of no more sorrow. May her memory always be for a blessing, and may you find comfort and peace in the many cherished memories you have of your mom. We know that G-d and the love from your family and friends will give you strength during this most difficult and sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. HaMakom Yenachem Etchem Betech Shaar Aveilei Zion V'Yerushalayim... Irving and Hilda Pisarek

To Ruth and Phil’s family, We are so sorry for your losses. We knew your parents from the Bnai Brith Study Institutes. They were such welcoming greeters when we arrived at Maple Lake, so warm and friendly. In time your many memories will bring smiles. Michael and Marcia Pascoe

Kalman, Myron, Edna and Howard, So very sad with this news! Your mom was a warm and kind neighbour who opened her home to me when I joined the Snowbell family. She and Phil welcomed me such that I felt at home immediately. Ruth will be missed and I want to send you all the extended family our heartfelt condolences. May the Almighty comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Please accept my sincere condolence on your loss. Ruth was truly an inspiration for all of us. Love cousin Barbara.

My deepest condolences to the family. May they be comforted amongst all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.

Dear family. We are so sorry for your loss. Ruthie and Phil were cousins my parents cherished. They were all a very special generation. Condolences to all the cousins. Love Karen Ely

Sincere Condolences to Howard and family on the loss of your parents. May their memory be for a blessing With warm regards Gus and Judy Diestel

Ruth and Phil were the best neighbours without question. Kind, sweet, hospitable, gentle and loving. Ruth would feed me whenever I came over as a kid. They have a treasured place in the memory of our family, and may their memory be a blessing for their family, friends and neighbours!

Here is the eulogy delivered by Myron Elias for his mother Ruth Elias _________________ . It’s a sad day for us all because we all so very much loved my mother and father. ........ But here they are, after 72 years of marriage, with hardly ever a day apart, still holding hands and blowing kisses to each other. ........ When Dana and I arrived three weeks ago, both my parents were in Sunnybrook Hospital, had lost all hope, and were ready for what’s to come. But when Dad saw Dana, I truly believe that he realized there was still a reason to go on. After a few days of a balanced and full diet, he was ready for a road trip and so we wheeled him down to my mother. He took one look at my mother and grabbed her hand, telling her, “Ruth, you got to eat. We got to get out of here.” ........ Slowly but surely they seemingly began to improve and were even placed together in the same room. Picture them holding hands and blowing kisses. We were all gifted with many hours of talking, and joking, and reminiscing. ........ But, as the saying goes, man plans but G-d decides. ........ We said goodbye to Dad exactly 2 weeks ago and, around the same time, mom stopped her dialysis. We then brought mom home, which was her very last wish. ........ So who was my mother? ........ She was the loving mother to three sons, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Although she never met the two little ones, Ya’ara and Kai, in person, she absolutely rejoiced in the photos and movies that we would email them on a nearly daily basis. Sivan, and especially Dana, spent most summers with mom and dad and it took Edna and I almost until the following summer to unspoil them. It was a losing battle. ........ Mom was a nature and animal buff. Some of my earliest memories are at Pontypool and Lake Coochiching, walking along the deserted country roads, picking wild flowers which mom would put in a vase on the kitchen tables. ........ But especially, Mom loved animals. Mom told me once that when I was a baby, she would bath me in the kitchen sink because the bath tub was occupied by two turtles. When I was about 2, we had a rabbit named Tipsy running around the house. Then the goldfish named Moby Dick, Chippy the red squirrel that mom nursed to health with warm milk and an eye-dropper, Calico the Cat, Tweety the canary, Pretty Boy the Blue parakeet, and finally, Coco, her poodle, who would zealously mom like… a fanatic. And that’s not to mention the snakes, salamanders, and tadpoles that Cary and I would constantly bring home.. ........ Mom was a female Dr Doolittle, never giving up the chance to pet a deer, or lama, or a camel, ride an elephant or a horse, or just tame and feed the black squirrels in the backyard. ........ And like Dad, mom loved people, opening her house to all of my friends visiting Canada from Israel, to Jewish Russian immigrants just arriving to Toronto, to disabled Israeli army veterans, to Jews and non-Jews from all over the world. ........ And like Dad, mom loved and cherished her friends, some of whom she knew from her childhood, some from her teens, some through dad, some from the synagogues that she and dad belonged to, some from the Bnai Brith, some from her folk dancing classes, some from Whitburn Ave and some from Charlton Blvd. Mom was always making friends. ........ And Mom was always doing for others, hosting wedding parties at the house for relatives and friends, teaching folk dancing to teenagers when she herself was a young mother, teaching rug hooking to the elderly, when she herself was a savta. Incidentally, she once, on a government form that requested that she state her profession, wrote “hooker”. ........ Mom also had a great sense of humour. ........ We love you Mom. Always will.

Sorry to hear of her passing. She was a nice lady. Condolences to Howard, his brothers and family. May her memory be for a blessing.

When I started keeping Shabbat, Kalman invited me for Shabbat day meals at their home and I came almost every Shabbat for a while. I was welcomed, not as a needy guest, but almost as a member of the family. The warmth of Mr. Elias and Mrs. Elias remains with me to this day. And throughout the years, I felt their silent encouragement accompanying me in whatever I did. May their memories continue to be a blessing.

Dear family,it was with deep sadness that I found the passing of Ruth so soon after that of your Dad.In the many years that we worked together Ruth always had a smile a kind word to clients and was highly efficient with strong ethic.Many times she played the Bubbie around our tantrums.May you have wonderful memories of your parents.

Dear Cary, and Elias family. My heartfelt condolences on the passing of your mother. It is so hard to believe you experienced so much heart ache in such a short time. I remember your mother as a very kind hearted person. Cary your email was written so eloquently… I’m so sorry for what you went through… to say it was difficult is an understatement. Please know you did a wonderful mitzvah. Love Marlene

Dear Elias Family: Our heartfelt condolences. So very sorry to hear about the loss of both your parents. We have many happy & loving memories of coming to Toronto for the last 62 years & visiting with your parents & grandparents (maternal). They were very special people. ❤️Your Winnipeg cousins Rochelle & David Glass & Family

My heart goes out to your entire family. I wish you strength, courage and fortitude as you travel this road of grief. May your mother’s memory be a blessing

Dear Cary ---- I am really terribly sorry for the immense loss of both your dear parents, Philip & Ruth ז״ל ....................... תהא נשמתם צרורות בצרור החיים לעולמים May their souls be bound up in the bundle of life forever and their memories be a blessing. ....... As you know, I was your mother's neighbour at dialysis for many years. I always had great respect for her incredible resilience, bright mind and exceptional humour. She will be missed by all the staff and all the other patients at the centre. ..... I wish I could have visited you during shivah to pay my respects, however this was not possible given the current Covid situation. Hopefully better times will come one day , בע״ה, and we will get together. Take care of yourself and once more, אבלים אנו את אבלך, מקוננים אנו את קינתך, ומייחלים שלא תדע עוד צער