Obituary of Ruth Anna Sinclair

Sinclair, Ruth Anna (nee Donovan)

Ruth Anna Sinclair née Donovan passed away on Tuesday May 15, 2018 at the age of 94. Dearly loved wife of the late Dr. William James Sinclair.  Beloved mother of four sons: Don and Barbara of London, Ron and Karen of Chatham, Hugh and special friend Candice Barlow of Chatham, Scott and Jennifer of Kitchener; and “granny” to Neil, Carlee, Jaclyn, Luke, Rebecca, Sam and Colin. Ruth will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Ruth comes from a family of eight siblings and is survived by her brother Robert and sister-in-law Barbara who reside in Peterborough. Ruth is predeceased by sister Marguerite and her husband Elmer Golem of Chesley, sister Mary and her husband Harvey Golem of Owen Sound, brother Howard and his wife Frances of Owen Sound, brother John and his wife Doris of Desboro, brother Jerry and his wife Betty of Alberta and brother Walter and his wife Gaye of Saskatchewan.

Ruth was born on a farm near Desboro, Ontario on February 16, 1924 to parents Archibald Alexander Donovan and Emma Batterman (a school teacher). During high school, Ruth met James (Jim) Sinclair at a dance and they fell in love and later married while Jim was studying veterinary medicine in Guelph. After Jim graduated, they moved to Moncton, New Brunswick where they started their family. In 1960 they moved to Zurich Ontario for a brief period before settling in Chatham where they established the Kent Veterinary Clinic. Ruth and Jim worked side-by-side for nearly 30 years caring for animals throughout Kent County and were very much appreciated by pet owners and farmers across the region for offering affordable care.

Throughout her life, Ruth was always mindful of those less fortunate than herself. She spent countless hours visiting the sick and the elderly often bringing along a loaf of her homemade bread or a beautiful bouquet picked from her garden.

Respecting Ruth’s wishes, there will be no funeral service or visitation. Ruth’s ashes will be buried in Sullivan Township next to her husband and soulmate. Friends and family might be interested in viewing a collection of photos posted at http://ruth.wtscdn.com.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Ali Caron and Ruth’s other caregivers who helped her stay in her much loved home over the past few years and also to the nurses at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for comforting Ruth in her final days.

McKinlay Funeral Home

459 St. Clair Street

Chatham

519 351 2040