Ruby Elizabeth Woodward (Spurrell)
August 24, 1928 to April 4, 2025
Obituary
We sadly announce the passing of our dear mother Ruby. She passed peacefully away on April 4th at the Health Science Centre, at the age of 96, with her loving daughters at her side.
Predeceased by her first husband George Spurrell (1998); her second husband Dave Woodward (2015); and her parents Elizabeth and Solomon Squires.
Leaving to mourn her daughters Janice and Donna Spurrell, her special friend and “sister” Maureen Haines, and a large number of nieces and nephews who will remember her fondly. Also, her many friends at the Rainbow 50+ club in St. Philip’s. she enjoyed her card games, outings and dances with all of you.
Her mainland friends and family will miss her many phone calls, especially Dave’s sons Gary, Dale and Dave.
We are so grateful for the kind and compassionate care given to Mom at 4 South B and 5 South B at the Health Science Centre. To the many friends and family who visited Mom and supported us during her hospital stay, we are so grateful. You know who you are, thank-you.
A special thank-you to Josie Morgan, Mom’s homecare worker and friend. You are the best and we know how much you loved her.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, located at 329 Freshwater Rd, on Monday, April 7th from 2- 4 and 7-9, as well as Tuesday, April 8th, from 2- 4 and 7 -9.
A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 9th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Philip’s Anglican Church. Interment to follow in the St. Philip’s Anglican Cemetery, both located on 20 Coady’s Rd, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s.
Flowers as expressions of condolences are graciously accepted. If donations are preferred, please consider contributing to St. Philip’s Anglican Church.
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you and whispered
“Come to Me”
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us.
He only takes the best.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on April 7, 2025
7-9 p.m. on April 7, 2025
2-4 p.m. on April 8, 2025
7-9 p.m. on April 8, 2025
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
11:00am, Wednesday April 9th
St. Philip's Anglican Church
Located at 20 Coady’s Rd, Portugal Cove-St. Philip's.
Interment
12:00pm, Wednesday April 9th
St. Philip's Anglican Cemetery
Donna and Janice, so sorry to hear the passing of your Mom, condolences to you both and. Your family.
Peggy squires
I’m so sorry 😔
Janice and Donna, your Mother was a huge part of our community for so long. So many memories, passing out our mail at your post office and corner store, Sunday Church service, weddings and funerals there was your Mother. When your Mother started selling Avon, my Mother so looked forward to the new book, but her visits with your Mother she enjoyed more.
A blessed long life, cared for by her two daughters and not shoved in the Poor House, as the old timers would say.
God Bless you both!
Janice and Donna, thinking of you both as you celebrate the long life of your precious mom today! Her picture reminds me so much of my mom… I’m sure she was there to meet her! Rest in peace dear Ruby!
Hugs to you both,
Love,
Cynthia (Mercer) Parsons
Janice & Donna,
Sincere Condolences at this difficult time, treasure your many memories of your Mom, she was so lucky to have two wonderful daughters who cared for her so deeply. All God’s Blessings. RIP Ruby 🙏
Donna and Janice
We are thinking of you and sending our condolences. Your Mom was a beautuful lady, with a great sense of humour, and we are so grateful to her for giving us 2 dear friends. We are sorry your Mom has passed, may she rest in peace.
With sympathy and love,
Dave, Denise, Alison, and Alex
Janice & Donna, so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. My deepest condolences to both of you.
Donna and Janice ,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you both on the loss of your mother. She was a beautiful person both inside and out , she loved to laugh and carry on as much as she loved her cards. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. She was a wonderful age and I’m sure she left many good memories for both of you. Enjoy them all , keeping them close to you. May God bless you all, R.I.P Ruby.
Donna and Janice
So very sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathy to you both.
Janice & Donna, this is a sad time for all those of us who loved your mom. But fond memories of the past help to take the edge off the pain. Growing up in our small beach community I had daily contact with your family. It is difficult for me not to think of three ladies who had an important impact on our community life.. You great-grandmother, Aunt Dine, who opened a store and gave credit to anyone who didn’t have cash until payday. Then your grandmother, Lizzie, who worked in the store and played the organ in church ,faithfully. Then your mom who added the post office to all her other duties. The “Shop” was the hub of our area where news was given and received. (There was a bench across from the counter where you were expected to sit and chat) You can be proud of your heritage. Your mom was the first one in church for every service when I was a youth, so I’m not surprised that you are both involved in church work ,now.. I pray that knowing how well your mom was respected and loved will help soothe some of the pain of losing her. Ches & I offer you our sincere condolences.
Donna and Janice,
My heartfelt condolences. I know your hearts are heavy and broken. I will keep you in my prayers for strength and comfort in the days and weeks ahead. God bless your precious Mom….
Donna & Janice I am so sorry to hear of your mother passing, Thinking of you both, Rest In Peace Ruby
To Ruby’s daughters and to her special friend, Maureen. So sorry to hear of Ruby’s passing. I didn’t know her very well but ,whenever I would be in her company, I always felt I would like to know her better. She was always so nice. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult and sad time.. R.I.P. Ruby. God bless .Vern and Elaine Abbott
Donna & Janice,
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mom. Mom always thought of her as a really good friend and I loved hearing about all the funny stories and shenanigans that they would be up to on their trips. Thinking of you both at this very sad time. Rest in Peace Ruby 🙏
Dear Donna and Janice, I’m so very sorry to learn of your dear mother’s passing. It was always a pleasure to speak to her. I know that you will both miss her terribly, but hold onto your memories you have of her, and I’m sure you have plenty. May God be with you both as you go through this difficult time. Resti In Peace Ruby 🌹
Janice and Donna
My Aunt Iris Williams would like to give her condolences on your mother’s passing
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. My deepest condolences to all of the family.
Janice and Donna
My mom Helen gives her deepest condolences on the death of your Sweet Mother. She will be missed by many
Dear Donna and Janice, deepest sympathy on the death of your precious mother. Growing up in the community, going to the old school on the beach, and attending the old Church, it seems Ruby and her mother and grandmother were always present in some capacity or other. It seems I have always known Ruby, she served me in the store when I went over recess time. I remember clearly when she married George. All of we little school girls were so excited. All we could talk about ” Ruby and George got married!” I have never stopped admiring her, all these many years later. She was a truly nice woman, a valued member of our Church and community. I know you have a hole in your hearts. God bless you both. We join you in thanking God for her long and happy, Christian life. Sincerely (Can.) Shirley and Charlie Gosse.
Janice and Donna:
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your mother.
Janice & Donna: Our deepest condolences on the loss of your mom. I know how hard it was for you to let her go but she will always be close in your hearts.She was a very pleasant & happy go lucky lady. I enjoyed playing cards with her. Our thoughts & prayers are with you both at this time. Keep all your happy memories close to your hearts. Hugs to you both. Rest in peace Ruby. Denise & Henry. ❤️
Janice and Donna, Sorry to hear about your Mother`s passing..
Sorry to hear, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time!
Janice and Donna
So sorry about your mother’s passing. She is going to be missed by many of her very good friends who cared about her. Rest in peace Ruby
Janice & Donna. Sincere condolences on the loss of your Mom. A Mother is the best friend we have & I know you both were the most caring daughter’s she could ask for. I remember all the laugh’s we had when she drove us to the College of Trades & Tech. many years ago & she never lost her sense of humor in her Golden years. May all the fond memories help you through this devastating time. I sure miss the chat’s we had at cards. God Bless you both
Oh Donna and Janice I’m just reading this about your mom. I know how close you three were. And her great love for you both. I’m so sorry for your loss. We think they are going to live forever but then the time arrives when we know they aren’t No one is ever ready for the last goodbye. I am truly sorry for the new journey you are now both on. She will truly be with you both every time you mention her name and feel sad , every time you go to call her. She’ll be there in your heart. Hugs to you both my friends. RIP 🙏
Our Deepest Sympathy to both of you Janice and Donna on the passing of your mom. May She Rest In Peace! HUGS
Janice and Donna, so sorry to hear about your mom. Our condolences to you both.
Donna and Janice
So very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Thinking of you both as you go through this most difficult time. May she rest in peace.
Donna, I am sorry to read of the loss of your dear mother. I send my condolences to you and all your family. Sincerely, Sandra Nightingale.
Janice and Donna!
God knew that it was difficult and he wanted her to know,
That he was right beside her and it was time for her to go.
He placed his arms around your Mom and whispered in her ear,
“It’s time to take you home with me, and I will calm your fears.”
A Father’s love is forever, this for sure we know,
As a piece of our heart went with her
On that day God took her home.”
“We never lose those we give to God.” 🙏🙏

Ruby, I guess we both took it for granted that our Friday night laughs, on the phone, would always be there. Oh, how I will miss them. You were not meant to suffer and you will now, thankfully, enjoy eternal peace. Rest easy, Ruby. Some day we will laugh and chat again.
Donna & Janice, So very sorry for your loss. May your happy memories bring you peace in the coming days.
Donna and Janice::
So, so saddened to hear about your mom’s passing. I have known her for a long time and we had many laughs and stories.. She was loved so much by many people, especially everyone at the 50 plus club.. My thoughts and prayers are with you both as you go through this difficult time. RIP, Ruby.
My heart goes out to you both. Your mom is with your dad and Dave. Your mom will be missed by so many people that loved her. My condolences go to you both Janice and Donna.
Love you Both
Yvette
Janice and Donna , my condolences on the loss of your mother.
Donna & Janice
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing.
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Donna and Janice we are so sorry to hear of Aunt Ruby’s passing. We loved her very much. We got to see her whenever we came to St.Pilliu as much as possible. She will be missed dearly. Love Linda and Junior ❤️
Janice and Donna,
So sad to hear the news regarding the passing of your mother.
Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers as we give thanks for her faith, life and witness.
I recall many cup of tea with her during my time in the parish and the many laughs and stories that I will treasure for years to come.
I give thank to you both for the extreme care you gave to her and the joy you gave her. She was proud of you both and was very thankful for the care she received from you, both. You will have no regrets.
She lived a long life and she enjoy every moment until she was hospitalized. You have a lot to be thankful for.
Now, she is enjoying a new life in a new home where there is no pain or suffering. Dancing in that new home…
God bless you both and may you find peace as you gather to give thanks for her life and witness.
Janice and Donna ,so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing..She will be greatly missed. Let the good memories bring you comfort.Your Mom was one of a kind