Obituary of Ruth Evangeline Denton

DARTMOUTH – Ruth Evangeline (Sharpe) Denton, of Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home, slipped away peacefully in her sleep, April 23, 2019, after a long period of declining health. She was attended regularly by her children, William F. G. Denton (Beverly) of Dartmouth, Marilyn R. (Denton) Ireland (Dennis) of Laconia, NH, Ronald E. Denton of Halifax, and Robert E. Denton (Krista) of W. Chezzetcook.

She is also survived by grandsons Todd Denton and his wife Charlene of Halifax, Andrew Denton of Halifax, granddaughter Tonia (Patterson) Stevens and husband Joshua, W. Chezzetcook, and grandson Brandon Denton and his wife Amanda, of Halifax, great grandchildren Ryan, Nathan, Dallas, Keegan, Riley, Nevaeh, and Maddie; nieces, Barbara Sharpe of Dartmouth, Debbie  Ernst of Dartmouth, Robyn Allaby of Fredericton, NB; nephews, Steven Sharpe, Brian Sharpe, Clinton Sharpe and  Allan Sharpe, all of Grand Lake, NB, Christopher Sharpe of Calgary, Alberta, Andrew Sharpe of Annapolis Royal, NS., sister-in-law, Dawn Sharpe of Maugerville, NB, and cousins, Marion (Denton) Bustin and Jeanette Denton.

Ruth is predeceased by her husband, Kingsley W. Denton; parents, Rev. George and Alberta (Johnson) Sharpe, brothers, William Sharpe, Alex Sharpe, and sister, Eileen Sharpe, and Ron’s partner, Michael Shaw.

Ruth was born in Hoyt, NB and grew up in a number of New Brunswick communities including Maugerville and Upper Blackville (Mirimichi). She started her nurses’ training at the Saint John Regional Hospital before moving to Westport, NS where she met her husband, Kingsley, and raised their four children.

Ruth was an accomplished gardener raising much of the vegetables for the family of six to supplement the regular supply of fresh seafood provided by Kingsley. She was a skilled seamstress known for the detailed garments and alterations she stitched for family and friends. She was master of many crafts, creating beautiful family heirloom quilts, counted cross-stitches, needlepoints, knitwear and crocheted items. Ruth had a passion for growing beautiful flower gardens and she belonged to the Garden Club in Cornwallis, NS for the years she resided there. She served as bookkeeper for a number of community grant programs. After she was widowed, Ruth completed her CCA certificate and worked at Tideview Terrace Nursing Home, Digby for several years.

Her greatest pleasure in later years was visits from or visiting her children. She spent many winters at her daughter’s home in NH and faithfully rotated major holidays between all her children. She was an avid reader enjoying gardening magazines and Christian romance novels, volunteering at the Westport Library. She was a faithful member of the Westport Baptist Church and later on, Digby Baptist Church serving in choirs at both churches. She supported Atlantic Baptist Women. She also sang in the Bell Canto Choir for a number of years. In addition to her family she enjoyed her pets and her multiple “grand-dogs.”

The family has deep appreciation to the staff at Oakwood Terrace nursing Home and Dr. Moriarty for her compassionate end-of-life care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Digby Baptist Church on Sunday, April 28, beginning at 1:00pm with visitation, followed by funeral service at 2:30pm officiated by the Reverend Donald Robertson. A graveside committal ceremony will follow later in the day in the Westport Hilltop Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Kaulbach Funeral Home in Bridgetown, NS.Donations in Ruth's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Westport Baptist Church or Digby Baptist Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com.