Ruth Mary (Publow) ArmstrongMay 26, 1918 - July 25, 2012Ruth passed away peacefully at home at Kendal after a long decline. She was 94. Ruth was born in Toronto, Canada, to Cedric Franklin and Lena (Neilson) Publow. She grew up in the home of her grandparents William and Mary Neilson next to the Neilson ice cream and chocolates factory. Her grandmother taught her to knit, and she learned to sew, embroider, and quilt in those early days leading to a lifetime love of fabric arts. Her mother collected Iroquois crafts - beginning Ruth's long devotion to Native American arts and culture. Ruth served in the Canadian Navy during WWII as an Occupational Therapist. She married Douglas Byron Armstrong, also a veteran, in 1947. Doug's graduate studies took the young family to MIT. Then a career at Bell Labs brought the family to NJ and, in 1971, to Boulder, CO. Ruth raised 4 children and worked as an OT. She was active in AAUW and volunteered at the Boulder Community Hospital. Ruth loved to travel, going to Europe, Mexico, and Asia. Her sense of fashion was classic but usually with a unique flair and sometimes a little fun. She decorated her homes with the same stylish eye, whether the 200+ year old NJ colonial or the modernist house in Boulder. Ruth was always fiercely proud of being Canadian. In 1997, Ruth and Doug moved to Ottawa to be near son Robin. 2000 was a difficult year with Robin dying of cancer and Doug of a heart attack. In 2001, Ruth moved to Ithaca to be near daughter Martha. At Kendal, the ever-social Ruth made many friends, especially among the bridge players and the One Kendal volunteers. Ruth was predeceased by her son, Robin; husband, Doug; and step-grandson, Josiah. Survivors include daughters, Martha (Lois Levitan) of Ithaca and Elizabeth of Minneapolis; son, Peter (Nancy Dalrymple) of Boston and Abu Dhabi; daughter-in-law, Marcia (Andrew Payer) of Ottawa; grandchildren, Allison, Christine, John, Jack, Olivia, Phoebe, and Teo; step-grandchildren, Ford and Katya; and special family friend, Marty. There will be a memorial gathering at Kendal on Saturday, July 28, at 3 p.m. All friends and community are welcome. Burial will be at Greensprings Cemetery. Ruth's family wishes to send heartfelt thanks to the staff of Kendal who provided such warm care, dignity, and friendship to Ruth and us. Truly, your work is "love made visible." Memorial donations can be made to a local food bank or Doctors Without Borders.