Ruth Allan

Ruth Isobel Allan (nee Wright), 94, passed peacefully on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Now reunited in heaven with James “Jim”, her beloved husband of 57 years, and her special little dog, Tammy. Ruth was the beautiful Mom of Bruce (Inez) and Janet (Helder), Nana and Nan to Terri-Lee (Sandro), Ryan (Natalie), Justine (Edmundo), Meg, Emily (Landen) and Tim (Kristin), Great-Nana to Antonio (Terri/Sandro), Alessio (Terri/Sandro), Vanessa (Ryan/Natalie), Luke (Ryan/Natalie), Adriano (Terri/Sandro), Eva (Justine/Edmundo), Dawson (Tim/Kristin) and a special little girl on the way (Tim/Kristin).
Ruth was born in 1931 in Montreal. When she was 15 years old, the tall, handsome boy from next door helped her and her family move into their house. Afterwards, she invited him in to have tea, and the rest was history. In 1949, she married that tall and handsome boy, Jim Allan, and moved to Toronto in 1951. After raising her children, Ruth went to work for York University, as assistant to the president for 25 years.
Ruth will always be remembered for her kindness and guidance with her children and grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. She was incredibly close with her son, whom she spent many nights, from his childhood to adulthood, sitting at the table after dinner to chat and discuss life.
Her grandchildren have countless fond memories with her. She made any occasion an elegant one. Crumpets in the early morning (with every spread you could imagine!), movie nights, happy hours with small cans of ginger ale in a wine glass, tea parties, endless nibblies set out in crystal dishes, singing Harvest Moon by Neil Young at the cottage, but best of all, her warm and cozy hugs.
She always made time for each of her family members to sit and have a meaningful chat, a little pat on the knee with a smile and a, “How are you doing, Hun? What have you been up to?” If you answered the phone on a Sunday evening it was met with her voice on the other end saying, “Hi dear, are you busy right now, or do you have time for a chat?” She was a thoughtful and creative grandmother, redesigning one of the rooms in her house as a bedroom just for us, and our many sleepovers, making doll clothing and doll beds, blankets and dresses.
Now, her soft and cozy nature is carried on to how her great-grandchildren are taken care of, because “our nana used to do this.”
She took such pride in herself, never leaving the house without “putting on her face” first, even just to go out for some milk. Even though she never believed us, she always looked beautiful (with or without her makeup).
She let her family know how special we were to her any chance she had which will always stay with each of us. She was a safe space to be open, honest and vulnerable, and knew how to listen and give advice. She also loved a good joke, and more often than not set herself off in the best giggles at her own jokes before getting them out. If giggles kept her from getting the punch line out, the Englishwoman in her came out with an, “Oh fooey.” The same Englishwoman when if something was not going the right way, would mutter, “Well isn’t this a fine kettle of fish.”
Ruth lived a long and wonderful life, full of love, music and laughter. She was an inspiration to all of us, how we live our lives and love our families.
Ruth was the Matriarch of our family, and we will cherish her in our memories forever.
Our family will have a private memorial for her at a later date, to reunite and share our many, many memories.
In lieu of flowers, donations to SickKids would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Rod Abrams Funeral Home, Tottenham 905-936-3477. Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.