Ruth Hebert nee Pettigrew 1929-2012

HEBERT, Ruth (Pettigrew)
1929 - 2012
It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Ruth Hebert (Pettigrew) in her sleep on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012. Ruth was born February 24th, 1929 in Springhill, Nova Scotia to the late Mary-Ellen (Trousdale) and the late Frank Pettigrew, survived by sister Muriel (late Ross Canning) predeceased by sister Luella (late Thomas Davies) and brother David. Beloved wife of 52 years of the late Albert Hebert. Survived by daughters Mary Lou (Robert Horton), Jane (Spiro Koufos) and sons Alan and Robert Hebert. Grandchildren Jason (Christina), Marty (Jennifer), Justin (Jo-Annie), Christina (Mark), Kathleen, Jonathan, Michael, predeceased by Danielle and Tanya, Great-Grandchildren to Cassidy, Laurin, Jack, Felix and twins Victoria and Melody. Sadly remembered by many nieces, nephews and special friends Carrell, Cathy and Keith.
Ruth obtained her teaching degree from Provincial Normal College in Truro, NS in 1949 and began her teaching career in Springhill Nova Scotia and later in Sackville, NB before moving to Montreal in 1960 to become the first married (with children) school teachers hired by the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (PSBGM). While working for the PSBGM, at Iona Avenue School, Ruth helped to pioneer educational mainstreaming of deaf and hard of hearing students. With the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf (MOSD) operating out of Iona Avenue School, Ruth, as a teacher for the PSBGM, voluntarily welcomed groups of deaf and hard of hearing children to her class to learn alongside hearing students. With fondness and gratitude Ruth carried rich memories of her experiences and relationships with the children and staff of the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf, at Iona Avenue School. A tenderness for special needs children led Ruth back to school in the 1970's where she earned her Special Education Diploma from McGill University.
The family will receive condolences at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 10th from 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Memorial service will be held at Valois United Church, 70 Belmont Ave. Pointe-Claire, QC. on Wednesday, July 11th at 11:00 A.M., interment of the ashes to follow at Mount Royal Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf, 4670 Ste. Catherine St. West, Westmount, QC. H3Z 1S5 would be appreciated.
Published in The Gazette on July 7, 2012 [Montreal]

Penny Lane, Sept. 2012