- by Trudy Moyse

This is a sad day, as today I remember an incredible lady that was truly the heart of our small city. I’d always been aware of Ruth Gorbet as a strong and stylish downtown business owner, but in 1986 she became so much more to me. My brother Bob ( a realtor at the time) secured the Roxy for Owen Sound Little Theatre and the fund-raising to pay the mortgage began.

My Mom and Nibbs (Ian Newell) were a part of this small group, Gus and Velma Mitges, Ruth and Norman, Pat and Vince Matheson, Bob and Tillie Maine, Armand LaPointe, and so many more.

During this time, Ruth became a big part of my life. Ruth is the reason that I became involved with OSLT and I will continue to support this incredible group forever.

Friend, mentor, hero, teacher, and as the years flew by, 2nd Mom. Eventually, the time came for Ruth to sell her beloved home. At that point, her daughter Kara and I were truly reunited. Kara, Sara and I, and a handful of family and friends made a bedroom for Ruth on the 1st floor and Ruth was able to stay at home until she chose to move on.

It was so important to her that the “right people” became the new owners of her home. Her wish was granted, the home was renovated top to bottom but with the utmost respect for its charm and history. Ruth was invited back for tea and beamed with pride and astonishment. It seems like days, rather than years, since those days, but that time gave us all the time to show Ruth how much she meant to all of us.

So, that is a short history of my relationship with Gorbet Ruth (I can’t remember when or why I started calling her that). It would be wonderful if you could share a memory here. Flood this space with love and admiration. It would be incredible if we could gather that love, bind it in a booklet, and pass it on to Kara ( not a big social media follower)

God Bless You Ruth
Break a Leg