Ruth Elizabeth Maggiacomo (nee McIntosh) November 13th, 1933 - January 16th, 2022

Pre-deceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Frank Maggiacomo in 2016.
Ruth is survived by her brother Douglas McIntosh and her sister, Jeanette Dunker. 
Her devoted children remain Gabrielle Garcia, Roxanne Maggiacomo, Amy McKenzie (Duncan), Jason Maggiacomo (Kelly). Her loving grandchildren are Melissa (Shane), Matthew, Zoe (Amy H.), Lachina, Marina, Rowan, Josh, Kate, Rebecca. Great grandchildren are Noah, Eva.

Ruth, born in Toronto during the Great Depression, grew up surrounded by extended family. Frank, the love of her life, brought her into his own extended famiglia, incredibly welcoming, which she warmly embraced. She even learned to make a stunning manicotti, top in birthday requests. They made their home on the second floor of the original Maggiacomo homestead with Ruth’s father-in-law living on the main floor. Sixty-three years is, give or take, 68,796 meals, all without an automatic dishwasher. She made a cozy home by wallpapering anything that didn’t move and sanding, sawing, and staining anything else.

Ruth attended Weston Commerce High, with Cousin Lois (switching papers depending on who did the best work in any subject). Ruth first worked at Exide Battery until the chemicals in the air made her nylons pop. Through dear neighbour Eleanor, she worked in the medical secretary pool at Toronto Western Hospital, leading to a top job as administrator for the amazing orthopaedic surgeon Dr T.A. Wright. They were a great team. Ruth was there for forty years, half of those listening to a Dictaphone. Her favourite trick was looking at you and answering questions while still typing.

She was an avid and expert knitter, sewer and crocheter, and at age seven helped knit blankets to send by Red Cross to Canadian POWs during WWII. She could put any cranky baby to sleep and make them an outfit before they woke up. Her actual downtime, watching tv with Frank, always found her knitting - creating whatever you wanted. Although shy, Ruth loved to sing and play piano. She loved to dance with Frank and friends Norma and Jimmy at the Silver Slipper and Palais Royale. She could wipe the board with you in Scrabble, even after her cognition declined (39 points for a three-letter word that she only added one letter to … Come on!).

She was volunteer sublime: teaching primary skaters at Lambton Arena (where Dad also worked), cooking meals for Out of the Cold, and speaking to educate about dystonia – a movement disorder – through the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. She even flew in a plane for the DMR Foundation. She taught junior church for Farmer Memorial Baptist Church.

Her favourite outfit included gardening gloves. She loved her beautiful gardens, mentored by SIL Marguerite and gentle competition with neighbour and master gardener, Carmella, sharing lilacs, roses, and vegetables. She loved the family dogs. She found our best rescue, wonder dog Duchess, after a long and dedicated search. She had her own dog named Rags when she was young and even had a pet chicken named Judy (who was, unfortunately, delicious). 

Thank you to our dear PSWs elite. Denise, a long-time caregiver to both our parents, a wonderful friend and even our daily chaplain. Thank you to the meticulous and fun Simrit (Sam) and the musical Grace, steadfast Teresita, Julie Ann and Viengpeth (Christine) and the nursing staff from SE Health including and particularly our best advocates, RNs Nabilla and Sara. There are many more we cannot name. The best of the best providentially provided. We thank God for them; He sent them all.

Thanks also for the friends and family who visited, called, and prayed continuously, providing love and joy and sometimes a meal; uplifting not only Ruth but Roxanne in her loving task to care for her folks.

Plans for a small service are coming.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Out of the Cold or to your charity of choice in her name. She had so many dear to her heart, she would have loved that.