Obituary of Ruth Dubray

June 16, 1922 – May 4, 2016 Ruth Dubray passed away peacefully in the early evening of May 4, 2016 at the Mennonite Nursing Home in Rosthern in the loving embrace of her family. Ruth is survived by her son Tim Castle (Donna Henderson), her stepson Barrie (Elaine), her stepdaughter Bev (Rick) Folkerson, her grandchildren Michael and Erin Henderson-Castle, Jason, Michelle and Craig Dubray, Darryl, Lisa, and Leanne Folkerson, one great-grandchild, and nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents James and Amelia Spratt, her first husband Ron Castle, her son Jim Castle, her brother Harold (Florence), sister Violet (Ted) Smith, brother Teddy, sister Mae (Don) Fraser, and her second husband Arnold Dubray. Ruth Emily Spratt was born on June 16, 1922 in the Sprattsville area near Girvin Saskatchewan to Amelia and James William Spratt. She was the youngest of a family of five, and grew up in a home of strong Christian faith. In her adult years she wrote that her personal relationship with her Lord Jesus Christ began in her childhood in the aftermath of the tragic death of her teenage brother, killed by a windmill toppled by a horse. The hard times of the dry and dusty 1930’s had a lasting influence on her. Although she was diligent in her frugality, she was generous with her time and love expressed to her family, and the hard times did not sully her ‘spunkiness’ and adventuresome spirit. She frequently concocted new juice combinations and never declined trying an unfamiliar food. She was forever awed by the beauty of a sunset through the trees, or colourful blossoms in spring, or hoar frost on a winter morning. The dry years on the prairies prompted the Spratt family to move first to the Fraser farm near Girvin in 1931, then north to re-establish the family farm near Star City in 1933. There Ruth attended the rural one room Norwood School to Grade 10, and finished her high school by correspondence. She attended Bible School in Regina, and took nurse’s training in Neepawa MB, graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1950. While in Neepawa MB she met Air Radio Operator Ron Castle. They were married in August 1954. The newlyweds studied at John Brown University in Siloam Springs Arkansas where Ron majored in radio broadcasting, and they both pursued their love of music. Ron played banjo and violin, and they both played guitar and sang. After their studies Ron and Ruth moved to Prince Albert where Tim and Jim were born. In June 1958 they started their work as missionaries among the Inuit at Maguse River NWT. Ruth’s skills as a nurse were an important part of their ministry, as were her musical abilities. About the time that the mission became part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Ron and Ruth’s missionary activities came to an abrupt end in June 1962 when Ron, as the pilot and sole occupant of a small single engine aircraft, was killed in a crash on the shores of Hudson Bay. Ruth and her sons lived in Melfort for a few years with her sister Mae and family, then in Prince Albert where Ruth worked for twenty years at the Community Clinic. Those years stand as a tribute to her strength and courage as a single parent. Ruth faithfully cultivated her father’s habit of a daily time of prayer and Bible reading in order to maintain a healthy relationship with God. Every evening in Ruth’s home one would hear gospel radio programs such as Back to the Bible and the Haven of Rest. Although Ruth was not uninterested in re-marriage, she was patient for her Lord to provide a suitable partner. He did deliver, by the letter carrier himself, a man of kindred spirits and strong Christian faith, Arnold Dubray. Ruth and Arnold were married in 1976. Arnold and the newly formed family were a blessing to Ruth when son Jim died in a small plane crash in 1978. Ruth and Arnold enjoyed 38 years together, and during those years they were a much cherished encouragement and support to their children as each found partners, married, established homes and raised their families. Ruth and Arnold continued living in Prince Albert for many years after their retirement, both active in the Church of the Nazarene, and Ruth in Christian Women’s Club. As Ruth’s memory challenges became apparent, they moved to Saskatoon in 2009 to be closer to their children. After Arnold passed away in 2014, Ruth moved to the Mennonite Nursing Home in Rosthern. Ruth’s prevailing passion throughout her life was her faith in Jesus Christ, and the belief that one day she would be reunited with loved ones that had gone before her. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 9, 2016 at 2:30 P.M. at Melfort Evangelical Covenant Church, corner of Park Ave. and Shadd Drive, Melfort, SK. Prior to the memorial service, interment will be held at 1:00 P.M. at Star City Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK (306) 232-5245, http://www.funksfuneralhome.ca.